Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner appear to be the two biggest rivals to Novak Djokovic heading into the 2024 Australian Open, but can either young gun knock him off his perch.
Alcaraz is one of the few players currently playing the game who have proved they can beat Djokovic over five sets in a Grand Slam event after his sensational win in last year’s Wimbledon final.
Meanwhile, Sinner beat Djokovic twice at the back end of last year, securing a win in the ATP Finals group stages and backing that up with another thrilling triumph against the Serbian in the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
Djokovic and Sinner could meet in the semi-finals of the Australian Open before a potential meeting with Alcaraz in the final.
With the two young guns plotting to end Djokovic’s dominance at an Australian Open tournament he has won on a remarkable ten occasions, former world No 7 Barbara Schett telling Tennis365 that Alcaraz may be best placed to knock the ultimate Melbourne champion off his perch.
“Sinner has taken a step forward in his career and his tennis in the way he finished the year,” Schett told us as she prepares to join the Eurosport and discovery+ team for the Australian Open. “The way he played at the ATP Finals was just phenomenal.
“I think he has gradually improved. He didn’t burst onto the scene like Alcaraz and just needed a bit more time, but I feel he will get that improvement with a bit more time.
“It is almost like a home Slam for Jannik with Darren Cahill, an Australian, in his camp and I think he can benefit from that. He can beat anyone on his day.
“This could be the year for Jannik Sinner, but the question is can he win over five sets, for two weeks in seven matches? I think he is ready for it.
“With Carlos Alcaraz, we know what he is capable of. He has already won Wimbledon and the US Open, but he is still so young.
“He hasn’t played in Australia so much, but I don’t think it is a problem for him not having so many matches because I feel it is all about scheduling for him and not playing too much. He can beat anyone.”
Former British No 1 Laura Robson also gave us her view on the Alcaraz/Sinner debate, as she suggested the Spaniard’s all-action style may give him some injury concerns.
“It’s hard to know who will have the best year outside of Djokovic,” Robson told Tennis365.
“It’s impossible to guess who will stay healthy and that will be crucial.
“If you had to pick someone who may struggle given the way he plays, I’d say Alcaraz may struggle given the way he plays.
“Honestly, who knows, I’d say both Alcaraz and Sinner will have a great year.
“You look at who can beat Djokovic in a Slam and it’s hard to see who can do it.
“Sinner beat him in the group stages at the ATP Finals, but if felt like a no-brainer who was going to win when they met again in the Final.
“I hope the younger guys take a lot of confidence from the matches they have played against him and take that into a best-of-five situation in Slam. It is very different than a three-set match.
“Hopefully we have a few more players who can challenge Djokovic this year and maybe there will be some more names to throw into the mix.”
Alcaraz and Sinner will be eyeing up a showdown with Djokovic in the latter stages of the Australian Open and both know they can beat the world No 1 when they are at their best.