\u201cIn 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jannik Sinner <\/a>is relying on a trusted formula as he targets a third consecutive Australian Open men\u2019s singles triumph.<\/p>\n \u201cI think this is my main goal for this year. I\u2019m just hungry for the title, hungry to do a really good result here \u2026 I\u2019m really excited about the tournament begin[ning]\u201d.<\/p>\n World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz <\/a>is fully focused on completing the only Grand Slam trophy missing from his collection at AO 2026.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThat final was a tough one. She played incredible and overplayed me. Took me a little time to recover. Going to this AO, I\u2019m 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\u201d.<\/p>\n After a three-set loss in the AO 2025 singles final, world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka<\/a> has redemption in sight.<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t compare generations \u2026 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.\u201d<\/p>\n AO 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s pretty crazy that it\u2019s already been 10 years competing in the main draw. Ultimately every single player in the draw is extremely tough \u2026 It\u2019s going to be a battle, but I\u2019m looking forward to it. It basically just means that I\u2019m going to have to be firing from the word \u2018go\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n With experience comes wisdom for Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur<\/a>, who faces AO 2022 semifinalist Matteo Berrettini in the first match of his 10th Australian Open campaign.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s 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\u2019t promised.\u201d<\/p>\n