Djokovic joined by Murray as 10-time winner, Alcaraz begins Australian Open preparation; Sinner wins on Melbourne return

Djokovic was noticed practising on the Rod Laver Area on Tuesday afternoon underneath the watchful eyes of his newly appointed coach, Andy Murray. It’s the Brit’s first teaching stint since his retirement in the summertime of 2024, after the Paris Olympics. Murray gained three Grand Slam titles and two Olympic singles gold.

The Serb, who might be chasing an unprecedented twenty fifth main, heads into the primary Grand Slam of the calendar 12 months on the again of a stunning quarterfinal loss in opposition to American Reilly Opelka on the Brisbane Worldwide. In 2023, Djokovic had did not win a single ATP title, barring the historic gold within the Paris Olympics. The closest he reached to claiming the twenty fifth main was in Wimbledon, the place he misplaced to Alcaraz in a rematch of the 2023 ultimate.

Donning a brand new hair-cut, Alcaraz, who landed in Melbourne on Monday, was noticed coaching alongside French participant Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard , quantity 30 within the ATP rankings. The Spaniard, who made the quarterfinals in his final Australian Open look, might be hoping to go one step additional this time, with this being the one main eluding him in his profession up to now.

Sinner wins on return to Melbourne

The Italian, who had defeated Djokovic within the semifinal final 12 months en path to claiming his maiden main, made a successful return on his return to the Rod Laver Area on Tuesday. Troubling Aussie expertise Alexei Popyrin on his serve, creating 9 break factors to 1, Sinner claimed a cushty 6-4 7-6 victory in a charity match.