The ATP calendar is very long and the first Grand Slam of the season represents only an appetizer of a long series of tournaments that will characterize a very important season for several top players.

Carlos Alcaraz was in fine form as he cruised to a first-round win at the Australian Open, but it was his comments on Jannik Sinner which drew attention.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are among the top Australian Open favorites. Two youngsters conquered all four Major titles in 2024, and they want more in the new season! Jannik and Carlos shared the same side of the court during Sunday's practice session.

Carlos thinks about Jannik every time he practices, targeting further improvements for their upcoming encounters. Alcaraz also uses Sinner's titles and incredible success in the previous season to practice even harder and seek the extra gear that can make the difference.

Carlos Alcaraz apologised to Jannik Sinner after criticising the world No.1 following his opening-round win at the Australian Open. Alcaraz looked at his very best in the straight sets victory against Alexander Shevchenko, taking the game 6-1, 7-5, 6-1

FILE - Italy’s Jannik Sinner returns the ball to Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor during the Davis Cup final tennis match between Netherlands and Italy at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File)

The top-ranked Sinner, who is the defending champion at Melbourne Park, and No. 3 Alcaraz are coming off a 2024 season in which they each won two Grand Slam titles.

Australian Open, Novak Djokovic was uncharacteristically cast as an outsider for the title. With questions surrounding his fitness, form, and the rising dominance of younger stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner,

Alex de Minaur will play one of the most important matches of his career as he meets Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open quarter-final. The world No. 8 has never made it this far at his home Grand Slam tournament. And he's hoping to go even further to keep Australia's hopes alive in the men's singles draw.

Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner both required medical attention in their most recent matches after struggling physically on court. Their timeouts threw off their opponents.