When it comes to tennis, time may not be on the Frenchman’s side, but the hard courts of Melbourne Park are.

The Novak Djokovic-Jannik Sinner tempest in a teacup is a pretty good indicator of what a lousy time it is for controversy.

Each of them had a mid-career encounter with the familiar warning, “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.”

Tennis’ great annual reset takes place in Melbourne, and in one way the game’s haves should be thankful that the sport’s much-debated off-season is so fleeting.

But the terms under which the world No. 7 will have to compete going forward are pretty clear: She must to do what she already does best, only better.

The showman looks to break away from a 'servebot' label come 2025.

The quicksilver quick study will enter 2025 with valuable experience and burgeoning confidence.

The Spaniard won all of his matches against the Italian in 2024, but looks up to him in the rankings.

His love for the game protected him from growing cynical or jaded, even after his body was pommeled by one injury after another.

The 27-year-old “has been unlucky,” says Brad Gilbert, “but despite that he’s also been very consistent.”

Since the Olympics, the Czech tennis savant has not lost a completed match to a player outside the Top 10.