Paolo Bertolucci warns Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz ahead of Australian Open
The Australian Open 2026 is now just around the corner. The Australian Grand Slam, of which Jannik Sinner is the defending champion, will kick off next Jan. 18. The Azure champion, along with world number one Carlos Alcaraz, is a major favorite for the title. According to Paolo Bertolucci, the first Major of the year could already be decisive for the South Tyrolean and the Murcian: “The Australian Open is the Slam that more than the others can direct a season: victory on the scorching concrete of Melbourne Park puts you in the right position immediately, gives you momentum and defines you for the season”.
“The picture, at the moment, is pretty clear-cut: Sinner and Alcaraz are the big favorites in every tournament they appear at, and especially after the last three Slams in which they have faced each other for the title, it becomes difficult to imagine a third wheel capable of fitting in – added the former tennis player in the Gazzetta dello Sport editorial -That is why Melbourne becomes even more decisive: it can ignite the hunt for the Grand Slam right away. Two lofty words, a tennis Everest that has eluded even the greatest, just remember Novak Djokovic, stopped just short of the summit in the US Open final, beaten by Daniil Medvedev”.
“Alcaraz has never won the’Australian Open, Sinner has yet to complete the collection of major tournaments with Roland Garros: it is natural that both want to close that missing box, but it is also true that they are perfectly aware of the great opportunity they have” Bertolucci added. Sinner and Alcaraz will also take part in the’AO 1 Point Slam, the “appetizer tournament” of the Australian Open characterized by matches decided by playing a single point, next Jan. 14. The South Tyrolean also took up the challenge, joining his friend-rival Murciano who had already confirmed his attendance.
Along with Sinner, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the WTA rankings, respectively, are also entered in the tournament. Among the men, the presence of Nick Kyrgios, one of the first to accept the challenge proposed by the organizers of the first Slam of the season, is also expected.
The format of the event will feature matches decided by the “winner-takes-all” formula: a draw will determine who will be entrusted with the serve and the’only point played will be the decisive one for winning the mini-match. In addition to professional tennis players, the scoreboard will also include amateur players selected based on specific eliminations organized by Tennis Australia and wild cards awaiting confirmation.
