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Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti at'AO Opening Week, here’s when they play

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Jannik Sinner is training in Dubai to prepare for his return to the court in 2026. The world No. 2 South Tyrolean outfielder will be one of the most anticipated players at the Australian Open, the first Slam of the season. On the concrete courts in Melbourne Jannik will have to defend the title he won the last two years, but he will also take part in the Opening Week exhibitions, the week before the tournament’s start. In addition to him, some of the world&#8217s best tennis players, including Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti, will be busy in the host city of the first major of the season during those days. The much-discussed home favorite Nick Kyrgios will also be there.

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Jannik Sinner will return in January to the Australian Open as the defending champion.
The'South Tyrolean's goal is to drop the hat trick in Melbourne.
He will first have to reckon with Carlos Alcaraz.
Sinner on the fast track looks like the favorite but there's someone who disagrees.
On the official website of the Slam won for the last two years by Jannik c'is an article with the emblematic title.
"Why Carlos Alcaraz will win the Australian Open in 2026".
"The 2025 season was unforgettable for Alcaraz, who won two Grand Slam titles in singles at the US Open and Roland Garros…".
"… eight titles in total (he reached nine consecutive finals between April and September) and won 71 matches in a single season, his personal record".
"Focusing particularly on his recent success at the U.S. Open, Alcaraz will have high hopes that he can finally go all the way at Melbourne Park".
Just a hint of Sinner, who won the last two editions.
"Standing in his way could be archrival Jannik Sinner, whom Alcaraz beat in both the finals at Roland Garros and the US Open".
Australians have "forgotten" Sinner’s successes at Wimbledon and the Atp Finals.

Here are the matches scheduled for Jan. 13-16.

Tuesday, January 13 (Italian time)
7 a.m. Zverev vs Musetti at Rod Laver in Melbourne

Wednesday, Jan. 14 (Italian times)– AO 1 Point Slam
9:30 a.m. Alcaraz vs Kyrgios at Rod Laver in Melbourne

Thursday, January 15 (Italian times)
7 o’clock Alcaraz vs de Minaur at Rod Laver in Melbourne

Friday, January 16 (Italian times)
7:30 a.m. Sinner vs Auger-Aliassime at Rod Laver in Melbourne

Previously, Sinner and Alcaraz will play each other in Seoul, South Korea, on Jan. 10 in the 2026 opening exhibition match for both rivals, which has caused quite a bit of controversy in both players’ home countries: in Italy, Sinner’s choice had landed in the crosshairs of the usual critics, especially after his decision not to participate in the Davis Cup to prepare for the Australian Open. But Alcaraz, who like the Azzurro skipped Davis, also had to defend himself against criticism in Spain for holding several exhibition matches in December and early 2026.

In an interview with Tennis Korea, Sinner and Alcaraz expressed their thoughts just over a month before the match:“This match represents a great opportunity for both me and Carlos, because it will allow us to regain our rhythm before the start of the Australian Open. Recovering the best feelings helps a lot at the beginning of a season and that is why I gladly accepted the invitation. Also, I am looking forward to playing in front of the Korean fans” explained the tennis player from Sesto Pusteria, who is fresh off two straight wins in exhibition matches against Alcaraz, both of which came in the finals at the Six Kings Slam.

Alcaraz focused instead on his rivalry with Jannik: “Rivalries in sports are a powerful element that fuels fan interest, and I too was inspired by the rivalry between Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer during my childhood. Now Jannik and I have already faced each other on many big stages and played intense matches, we have played each other in several Grand Slam finals, and I really believe we make each other stronger match after match. We have a long career ahead, and I really believe that this heated rivalry will help us grow further”, said the Murcia tennis player.

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