Are Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz ready to rule the way the Big 3 did? | Australian Open men's preview

With the Australian Open set to begin on Sunday—Saturday night in the United States—we asked our editors five major questions about what will happen in Melbourne. (CLICK HERE for the men's and women's draws.)

Sinner was less than just two million dollars off the highest-earning season in tennis history.

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1. Who will win the men’s tournament?

Peter Bodo: Daniil Medvedev

Franziska Bruells: Jannik Sinner

Liya Davidov: Jannik Sinner

Joel Drucker: Jannik Sinner

Right mix of power, poise, and precision should carry him to a repeat.

Matthew Fitzgerald: Jannik Sinner

David Kane: Jannik Sinner

Stephanie Livaudais: Jannik Sinner

Everyone’s waiting for Sinner to blink, but the Italian has maintained a cool composure, and his dominant record on hardcourts speaks for itself. Rivals Alcaraz and Djokovic have landed on the opposite side of the draw, clearing the way for the world No. 1 to defend his first major title.

Ed McGrogan: Carlos Alcaraz

Emma Storey: Alexander Zverev

Steve Tignor: Jannik Sinner

World No. 1 Sabalenka and No. 3 Gauff each began the 2025 season with titles, Sabalenka winning the Brisbane International while Gauff and Taylor Fritz led the United States to victory at the United Cup.

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2. Who will win the women’s tournament?

Peter Bodo: Coco Gauff

Franziska Bruells: Aryna Sabalenka

Liya Davidov: Coco Gauff

Since the last leg of 2024, Coco has rediscovered her confidence. As she continues to play like a solidified champion, rather than a scrappy underdog, she’ll be the toughest to overcome in Melbourne.

Joel Drucker: Aryna Sabalenka

Matthew Fitzgerald: Coco Gauff

David Kane: Aryna Sabalenka

Stephanie Livaudais: Coco Gauff

Ed McGrogan: Aryna Sabalenka

Emma Storey: Aryna Sabalenka

Steve Tignor: Aryna Sabalenka

She's No. 1, she's a two-time champion, she's in form—and her main tour challenger, Swiatek, has never been at her best at this tournament.

Joao Fonseca is expected to make an immediate impact on tour this year. So immediate, in four editors' eyes, that he could oust the No. 9 seed in Melbourne.

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3. What will be the biggest men’s upset over the first two rounds?

Peter Bodo: Michelsen d. [11] Tsitsipas

Franziska Bruells: Fonseca d. [9] Rublev

Liya Davidov: Shapovalov d. [16] Musetti

Joel Drucker: Opelka d. [26] Machac

Matthew Fitzgerald: Fonseca d. [9] Rublev

David Kane: Fonseca d. [9] Rublev

Stephanie Livaudais: Fonseca d. [9] Rublev

Ed McGrogan: Mensik d. [6] Ruud

Fonseca is getting plenty of buzz, and rightfully so, but don’t forget about the 19-year-old Mensik, who rose more than 100 ranking spots last year and just beat Shelton in Auckland.

Emma Storey: Van de Zandschulp d. [8] de Minuar

The Dutchman is no stranger to big upsets, having dumped Alcaraz out of last year’s US Open—not to mention ending Rafa’s career at the Davis Cup. The huge pressure de Minaur will be carrying as the home favorite in Melbourne could also be a decisive factor.

Steve Tignor: Mensik d. [6] Ruud

Elena Rybakina seemingly chose a new coach in Goran Ivanisevic, but the former Wimbledon champion hasn't let go of her past entirely. The uncertainty and drama might not bode well in Melbourne.

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4. What will be the biggest women’s upset over the first two rounds?

Peter Bodo: [20] Muchova d. Osaka

Set aside the seedings and rankings, you and I both know an early loss by Osaka will send shock waves through the sport.

Franziska Bruells: Bencic d. [16] Ostapenko

After her maternity leave, the Swiss seems to be getting back into her stride pretty quickly. In the first round, she faces Ostapenko, who isn’t exactly known for her consistency.

Liya Davidov: Mertens d. [7] Pegula

Joel Drucker: Jabeur d. [31] Sakkari

Matthew Fitzgerald: Stearns d. [8] Navarro

David Kane: Sramkova d. [2] Swiatek

Stephanie Livaudais: Bencic d. [16] Ostapenko

Ed McGrogan: Jovic d. [6] Rybakina

Emma Storey: Raducanu d. [26] Alexandrova

Steve Tignor: Stearns d. [8] Navarro

Novak Djokovic found out what Alexei Popyrin could do at last year's US Open, the hard way.

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5. If things broke right, Which player outside the Top 16 seeds could actually win the Australian Open?

Peter Bodo: Karolina Muchova

Franziska Bruells: Dayana Yastremska or Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard

Liya Davidov: Karen Khachanov or Elina Svitolina

Joel Drucker: Ben Shelton or Madison Keys

Matthew Fitzgerald: Alexei Popyrin

History isn't on the side of men outside the Top 16, but if I must tip one? Popyrin. While he’s had moments of brilliance at his home major, the 25-year-old this time comes into Melbourne on the back of a potentially career-changing year for the better.

David Kane: Naomi Osaka

This is the obvious answer, but despite the injury that forced her to retire from the ASB Classic final, Osaka comes to Melbourne with enough momentum and just the right draw that the two-time champion could, at last, enjoy a post-motherhood major breakthrough.

Stephanie Livaudais: Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard

Ed McGrogan: Yulia Putintseva

Steve Tignor: Karolina Muchova

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