It came quickly, didn’t it?
After another offseason considered by some to be too short, the first major of the year is about to begin.
So, what are the major Australian Open storylines to know ahead of Sunday’s action?
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Will anyone stop “Sin Karaz”?
This is the question everyone has been asking.
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are not only two of the best players on the ATP Tour, their play is unique.
The pair have won the past eight Grand Slam titles, with Italy’s Sinner aiming for a third straight Melbourne title.
Sinner’s relentless, rhythmic baseline game combines perfectly with the medium-paced hard courts. The looser, more creative Alcaraz has failed to carve out a spot in Melbourne and has yet to reach the quarter-finals.
However, this was due to a lack of rhythm early in the year rather than a lack of adaptability.
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If the 22-year-old Spaniard does hit the ground running – ushering in a new era without long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero – he will become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.
Alcaraz said at the end of last season that he would “rather win my first Australian Open title than keep my French Open and U.S. Open titles” by 2026.
[BBC]
Can Swiatek complete the career grand slam?
Alcaraz isn’t the only player aiming to sweep the majors.
Like Alkaraz, Poland’s Iga Swiatek is a six-time Grand Slam champion and the Australian Open is the missing piece of the puzzle.
After winning Wimbledon last year, the 24-year-old has cemented herself as a future great that few expected – including herself.
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However, defeats by Keke Gauff and Belinda Bencic in the Fed Cup opener showed Swiatek needed to iron out some issues quickly in Melbourne.
Swiatek said she could “hear” talk of a career Grand Slam but was determined to rule out any thoughts of achieving it.
“Obviously it’s going to be a dream come true. It’s not a clear goal that I wake up with. I think more about how I want to play and what I want to improve every day,” she said.
Goff joins Swiatek as part of a triumvirate that has won nine of the last 12 majors, but it was the third member – two-time Melbourne champion Aryna Sabalenka – who was the pre-tournament favorite.
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World No. 1 Sabalenka warmed up by winning the Brisbane title last week, although she thought it meant little.
“That’s tennis – that’s why it’s so beautiful, because you can’t predict anything,” said the 27-year-old Belarusian, who lost to Madison Keys in last year’s Australian Open final.
“Every day you go out and prove your level.”
[BBC]
How far can a resurgent Raducanu go?
The problem with being a teen superstar is that expectations suddenly skyrocket and, in Emma Laducanu’s case, become almost unmanageable.
Now entering her fifth season since her incredible US Open victory, the 23-year-old undoubtedly needs to prove that she belongs at the top of the WTA Tour.
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Raducanu’s challenge this season is to close the gap on the best teams in terms of head-to-head results and rankings.
The signs from last year were encouraging, with a return to the world’s top 30 meaning she would be seeded at the Australian Open, but Sabalenka’s prospects of reaching the third round were slim.
Raducanu is one of seven British players in the men’s and women’s singles draw and is the highest-ranked player since Jack Draper withdrew due to injury.
Cameron Norrie, Jacob Fearnley, Francesca Jones, Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter all qualified directly, while Arthur Fery advanced through qualifying.
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Can the aging Djokovic get the best out of him?
For most of Novak Djokovic’s career, Australia felt like his home away from home.
The Serbian, who has won 10 of his 24 Grand Slam titles on Rod Laver Arena, would be a wise investment to win again in Melbourne if he wants to finally overtake Margaret Court for the all-time independent record of 25th.
There is no doubt that Father Time is chasing the 38-year-old.
Over the past two seasons, he has struggled to match Alcaraz and Sinner physically in five-set matches, but he remains the player most capable of defeating them with technical ability and single-mindedness.
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Last season, Djokovic reached the semi-finals of all four majors – a remarkable feat of consistency at the highest level.
Predicting what the world’s fourth-ranked player might achieve this year is difficult. It would also be foolish to write him off.
Will Melbourne continue to be the Happy Slam?
Several factors help the Australian Open become a “Happy Slam” in its own right.
Melbourne’s sun-soaked summer days raise dopamine levels, and the party atmosphere around you helps make people feel good.
The site is located in the heart of Melbourne’s central district, surrounded by superstar DJs, hot bands, trendy restaurants and premium alcohol brands.
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Tournament director Craig Tiley understands the importance of closing the gap in stature and commercial appeal with Wimbledon, Roland Garros and the US Open.
Players spoke glowingly of the tournament, with particular emphasis on the quality of the facilities behind the scenes.
However, some leading players are said to be “disappointed” that organizers are still not offering a bigger share of the total revenue – despite this year’s record prize pool of £55 million.
The wider concern remains player welfare, and with the Australian Open historically having had issues with high temperatures and late-night play, these are likely to come into focus again over the next fortnight.