The first Major event of the new season is just around the corner. The battle for the Australian Open crown will start onSunday, with 128 players seeking a prestigious trophy. The favorites are well-known, and the former world no. 4 Tim Henman placed a safe bet!
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Like many others, the Briton sees Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic lifting a trophy on January 26. The former Wimbledon semi-finalist further reduced the favorites list, naming Sinner and Alcaraz as the players to beat.
Picking between the defending champion and the four-time Major winner, Henman highlighted Alcaraz as the top favorite in the next two weeks. If the Briton's prediction becomes true, Carlos will be by far the youngest winner of a Career Grand Slam!
Alcaraz and Sinner conquered all four Major titles in 2024, and Tim gives them the advantage over the rest of the field because of that. The Spaniard has yet to show his A-game Down Under. Hereachedhis first quarter-final a year ago and fell to Alexander Zverev in four sets.
Carlos bounced back at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, lifting two Major trophies and standing on four at barely 21! The young gun labeled the Australian Open his main goal in 2025, dreaming about a Career Grand Slam.
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However, Alcaraz will have to play at his best to achieve that! He could face the ten-time champion Novak Djokovic in the quarter-final,the most challenging obstacle in Melbourne. If he wins, Carlos is projected to face world no. 2 Alexander Zverev in the last four.
The Spaniard will have to serve revenge for last year's defeatto reach the final. Jannik Sinner will most likely be there! The Italian has to pass Taylor Fritz or Daniil Medvedev en route to the final, and it should happen if he mirrors his 2024 form.
Jannik scored 73 wins from 79 matches last year, lifting eight ATP titles and leaving everyone behind. It all started for him at the Australian Open, and Sinner will try to repeat that in the next two weeks. Carlos beat Jannik three times in 2024.
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It wouldbe interesting to see their duel in the Australian Open title clash, but other players will give everything to spoil their party and fight for the title.
"The Australian Open champion will come from the four favorites - Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic. If I have to pick someone, it's Carlos. He and Jannikare my top picks following their performances in 2024 and all four Majors on their tallies," Tim Henman said.
