Draper\u2019s comeback<\/p>\n
Jack Draper had high hopes of becoming that third man last March when he won the Indian Wells Open<\/a>, which is widely considered to be tennis\u2019s unofficial fifth grand-slam event. The Briton then reached a career-high world ranking of No4 during the summer, prompting many to believe that he could indeed mount a challenge at Wimbledon and the US Open.<\/p>\n Draper celebrates after defeating Denmark\u2019s Holger Rune to win last year\u2019s Indian Wells Open<\/p>\n MATTHEW STOCKMAN\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n Sadly it has all gone wrong since after Draper<\/a> discovered a bruised humerus, the bone that runs from the shoulder to the elbow. He has struggled to recover despite playing no matches since August and reluctantly withdrew from the Australian Open<\/a>. All eyes will be on that left arm when the 24-year-old makes his return, potentially for the Great Britain Davis Cup team in Norway next month.<\/p>\n A second wind for Raducanu<\/p>\n Emma Raducanu has had various physical problems throughout her career but there were signs in 2025 that her body was becoming more robust. She was far more consistent in terms of the matches she was able to play on a regular basis on the WTA Tour, although it is an early concern this year that her pre-season preparations were heavily disrupted by a foot problem.<\/p>\n A significant goal has already been achieved by moving inside the world\u2019s top 32 to secure a crucial seeding for this month\u2019s Australian Open, and the next step for the 23-year-old in 2026 should be winning a first title of any sort since that famous triumph at the 2021 US Open. If you had told Raducanu<\/a> that night at Flushing Meadows that she would still not have claimed another trophy four years later, she would have been extremely disappointed, and it is time to set that right.<\/p>\n Djokovic eyes title 25<\/p>\n Having turned 38 last May, it was a remarkable achievement by Novak Djokovic to reach the semi-finals of all four grand-slam tournaments in 2025. But it is clear he took little satisfaction from this as his ultimate goal is to win a record 25th major singles title, which would put him clear of Australia\u2019s Margaret Court as the all-time record-holder.<\/p>\n Djokovic proves there\u2019s still life in older legs<\/p>\n YORGOS KARAHALIS\/AP PHOTO<\/p>\n As time goes on the task becomes increasingly difficult, but this incredible athlete should not be counted out yet. If the draw can fall in his favour at the Australian Open or Wimbledon, with a shock early exit for Alcaraz or Sinner, then Djokovic<\/a> is still more than capable of beating the vast majority of players over the best of five sets.<\/p>\n A Sabalenka v Swiatek grand-slam final<\/p>\n The best rivalry in the women\u2019s game is Aryna Sabalenka v Iga Swiatek, yet they have never contested a grand-slam final against each other. Indeed, only two of their 13 matches have taken place at one of the four majors, showing that it is rare for both to be playing at their best on the biggest stage at the same time.<\/p>\n There is such a great contrast between the two. You have the raw power and outwards passion of Sabalenka<\/a> against the intelligent movement and quiet nature of Swiatek<\/a>, making for a fascinating clash that deserves to be the championship match on the likes of Centre Court or Arthur Ashe Stadium. Hopefully the stars align at some point in 2026 to make this come to fruition.<\/p>\n Sabalenka beat her biggest rival in last year\u2019s French Open semi-final, but they have never met in a major final<\/p>\n ULIAN FINNEY\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n More tensions over revenue<\/p>\n![\"Jack](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\/5597e442-f0fa-4d3f-96b1-0c82c948b85a.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Novak](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\/f72bda0c-90be-4617-ae3c-b761ce3addd0.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Aryna](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/\/33c2bfb7-280a-4a72-af3a-762b3706c5fe.jpg\")
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