“In the past couple of years, I haven’t played any official match before here because of the simple fact that I wanted to have a good off-season, a longer off-season, to get ready for this season again.”

Jannik Sinner is relying on a trusted formula as he targets a third consecutive Australian Open men’s singles triumph.

“I think this is my main goal for this year. I’m just hungry for the title, hungry to do a really good result here … I’m really excited about the tournament begin[ning]”.

World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz is fully focused on completing the only Grand Slam trophy missing from his collection at AO 2026.

 

“That final was a tough one. She played incredible and overplayed me. Took me a little time to recover. Going to this AO, I’m not really focusing on that last year result. But of course, I would like to do just a little better than I did last year”.

After a three-set loss in the AO 2025 singles final, world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has redemption in sight.

“I don’t compare generations … I enjoy watching them. I enjoyed playing them, too. I see that as a fan of tennis in general. The level has been amazing to watch those 20 years with different generations. As a competitor, it’s been amazing to face them. Always a big challenge.”

AO 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka, who will contest his last AO draw in 2026, on competing against past and present greats including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

 

“It’s pretty crazy that it’s already been 10 years competing in the main draw. Ultimately every single player in the draw is extremely tough … It’s going to be a battle, but I’m looking forward to it. It basically just means that I’m going to have to be firing from the word ‘go’.”

With experience comes wisdom for Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur, who faces AO 2022 semifinalist Matteo Berrettini in the first match of his 10th Australian Open campaign.

“It’s a Grand Slam and every Grand Slam you want to perform and do your best, and you want to take advantage of the moment now because tomorrow isn’t promised.”

Coco Gauff, a champion at Roland Garros and the US Open, is living in the moment as she targets a third Grand Slam title at AO 2026.