Jannik Sinner returns to Melbourne as the two-time defending champion, and arguably the most feared player on the ATP Tour right now.
After all, whilst Carlos Alcaraz might be ranked as the world number one, he lacks the fear factor that his generational rival has established over 24 months of dominance on hard courts.
The 22-year-old will almost certainly cruise through the draw, but a meeting in the final of the Australian Open will arguably present the hardest task in men’s tennis right now.
Particularly given that Alcaraz will be without Juan Carlos Ferrero in his coaching box for the first time in his young career.
Jannik Sinner reacts to Carlos Alcaraz’s split from Juan Carlos Ferrero
Asked about that shock news which emerged just last month, Jannik Sinner was unsurprisingly coy and respectful in his response.
He was keen not to disrespect Alcaraz and his remaining team, given the two clearly have a strong relationship despite their direct battle for the sport’s elite honours. Following their exhibition match in Korea together earlier this week, they shared a plane to Melbourne.
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Speaking to Super Tennis about the split whilst on the grounds at the Australian Open, and how he reacted when the news broke, Sinner stated: “These are questions that I can’t and don’t even want to answer.
“I also went through that. I understand the reasons, and everyone has their own reasons.
“Carlos knows and will know what’s best for him.”
Jannik Sinner will be almost impossible to stop at the Australian Open
Whilst Alcaraz will hope to complete the career Grand Slam as early as possible, he will face an almighty difficulty dethroning Sinner.
After all, beating the Italian in Melbourne has swiftly become one of the toughest tasks in tennis, with no player managing to do so over the last two years.
He has strolled to the title on both occasions, inflicting a particularly bruising win over Alexander Zverev in the final just last year.
Not to mention that Alcaraz, who is widely regarded as the only real threat to his crown, will be tackling this Australian Open without Juan Carlos Ferrero by his side. It marks the first Grand Slam without the 45-year-old as his coach, and the repercussions of this remain uncertain.
The Spaniard could still thrive and will be expected to make the final based purely on his superiority over the rest of the tour alone.
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However, matching Sinner’s supreme ball-striking and serving in these ideal Melbourne conditions has been shown to be a near-impossible task.
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