In Melbourne next year, Jannik Sinner<\/a> and Madison Keys will be out to defend their titles on the ATP<\/a> and WTA tours respectively.<\/p>\n The Italian defeated Alexander Zverev<\/a> in the 2025 Australian Open final, while the American overcame Aryna Sabalenka.<\/p>\n Sabalenka has since managed to add another US Open title to her honours list, battling past Amanda Anisimova in their New York final earlier this month.<\/p>\n She was joined in US Open success by Carlos Alcaraz<\/a>, who edged past Sinner for his second Grand Slam title of 2025.<\/p>\n The duo shared the four major titles this season, with multiple Grand Slam champion Todd Woodbridge<\/a> now sharing his verdict on which players can challenge the pair in Melbourne next year.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Jimmy Connors suggests what Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz would have done even if Roger Federer was still playing<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cNovak [Djokovic<\/a>] challenges them, absolutely,\u201d he said on The Tennis podcast. \u201cHe has just got to keep finding that resilience at his age to get back out on court.<\/p>\n \u201cTaylor Fritz<\/a> is playing the best tennis of his career. He has had a really solid year, can he up the ante against these guys in the best of five to be able to do that?<\/p>\n \u201c[Ben Shelton<\/a>]. Yes, definitely. You need the players who dynamically bust through these guys. Ben is one of those with the way he serves and hits his forehand.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has to tighten things up off the ground and not give a few free points here and there but he can always serve his way deep into a set, so that\u2019s massively important.<\/p>\n \u201cI am a fan of looking at someone like Joao Fonseca<\/a>. He is still building for me, but he is going to challenge these guys.<\/p>\n![\"Jannik](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-2234209087-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Clive Brunskill\/Getty ImagesSix players who could challenge Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open<\/p>\n