Despite entering the final after benefitting from some fortuitous breaks in earlier rounds, Djokovic put up a strong fight against Alcaraz. However, the Spaniard proved why he is currently ranked as the world’s number one, ultimately overcoming Djokovic with a scoreline of 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.

During the award ceremony, Djokovic offered an enigmatic message about his future as he reflected on his journey through this first Grand Slam of the season. “God knows what will happen tomorrow, let alone in six or twelve months. It’s been a wonderful journey. I love you all very much,” Djokovic remarked.

This statement sparked concern among his fans on social media, as many speculated that he might be contemplating retirement this year. To some, it seemed like a farewell, or perhaps the last time he would compete at the Australian Open in his esteemed career.

Djokovic’s journey to the final

Tennis fans were buzzing about the manner in which the Serbian star reached the final against Carlos Alcaraz. Benefitting from two walkovers and showcasing some extraordinary performances, Djokovic’s path reflected the prowess of one of the most significant figures in tennis history.

After dispatching Pedro Martinez, Francesco Maestrelli, and Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets in the early rounds, Djokovic advanced to the quarterfinals due to a walkover, as his fourth-round opponent withdrew. In the following round, Lorenzo Musetti faced a health issue while leading against Djokovic, which allowed Djokovic to proceed further.

In the semifinals, Djokovic demonstrated why he remains one of the premier players on the ATP circuit by defeating world number two, Jannik Sinner, in four sets. This victory secured his place in the Australian Open final for the 11th time, where, for the first time, he was unable to claim the title.

Alcaraz reaches a new milestone

By triumphing at the Australian Open, Alcaraz not only garnered more respect from the ATP circuit but also achieved a significant career milestone. The Spaniard joined an elite list of players in tennis history by completing a Career Grand Slam, becoming the youngest player ever to accomplish this feat.

Fans in Australia witnessed a clash of eras, a match that will grow rarer as time progresses. While Djokovic demonstrated the challenges aging athletes face, Alcaraz continues to assert his readiness to inherit the mantle from his countryman Rafael Nadal and establish himself as one of the greatest players in tennis history.

[Watch Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic live in the USA on Fubo]

The stage is set for a must-see championship clash as two of tennis’ biggest names battle for a Grand Slam title. Carlos Alcaraz arrives full of confidence after grinding out a dramatic five-set win over Aleksander Zverev, proving he’s ready for the biggest moment.

Across the net stands Novak Djokovic, who turned back Jannik Sinner and now chases yet another milestone in what could be one of his final shots at Grand Slam glory. With elite talent, legacy, and silverware all on the line, this is a final no tennis fan should miss.

When will the Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic match be played?

Carlos Alcaraz plays against Novak Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final this Sunday, February 1. The action will start at 3:30 AM (ET).

Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic: Time by State in the USA

ET: 3:30 AM
CT: 2:30 AM
MT: 1:30 AM
PT: 12:30 AM

How to watch Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic in the USA

Don’t miss this electrifying 2026 Australian Open clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic on Fubo. Other options: ESPN and Tennis Channel.

[Watch Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina live in the USA on Fubo]

The final of the season’s first Grand Slam is underway, featuring a high-stakes clash between two familiar rivals who have impressed throughout the tournament. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka enter as the clear favorite after a commanding 6-2, 6-3 semifinal win over Elina Svitolina.

On the other side will be world’s number 5, Elena Rybakina, who arrives confident after surviving a tough battle against Jessica Pegula and now looks to challenge the top seed on the sport’s biggest stage.

When will the Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina match be played?

Aryna Sabalenka faces Elena Rybakina in the 2026 Australian Open final this Saturday, January 31. The action will start at 3:30 AM (ET).

Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina: Time by State in the USA

ET: 3:30 AM
CT: 2:30 AM
MT: 1:30 AM
PT: 12:30 AM

How to watch Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena Rybakina in the USA

Don’t miss this electrifying 2026 Australian Open clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina live on Fubo. Other options: ESPN and Tennis Channel.

[Watch Carlos Alcaraz vs Alex de Minaur live in the USA on Fubo]

One of the standout quarterfinal matchups features two rivals with a semifinal spot at stake. Top title contender Carlos Alcaraz arrives after a hard-fought win over Tommy Paul and sits one victory from the final four, but he’ll be tested by Alex de Minaur.

The Australian player advanced with an impressive win against Alexander Bublik. Though de Minaur enters as the underdog, his form and confidence make him a legitimate threat to derail one of the tournament favorites.

When will the Carlos Alcaraz vs Alex de Minaur match be played?

Carlos Alcaraz takes on Alex de Minaur in the 2026 Australian Open quarterfinals this Monday, January 26. The action will start at 4:10 AM (ET).

Carlos Alcaraz vs Alex de Minaur: Time by State in the USA

ET: 4:10 AM
CT: 3:10 AM
MT: 2:10 AM
PT: 1:10 AM

How to watch Carlos Alcaraz vs Alex de Minaur in the USA

Don’t miss this electrifying 2026 Australian Open clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Alex de Minaur live on Fubo. Other options: ESPN and Tennis Channel.

[Watch Luciano Darderi vs Jannik Sinner live in the USA on Fubo]

Jannik Sinner has powered through the early rounds of the Australian Open, dropping just one set in three matches and looking every bit like a legitimate title favorite. That smooth run will be tested by his compatriot Luciano Darderi.

Darieri comes in with confidence after a strong showing that included a third-round victory over Karen Khachanov, setting up an all-Italian matchup where the underdog will aim to push Sinner out of his comfort zone.

When will the Luciano Darderi vs Jannik Sinner match be played?

Luciano Darderi faces Jannik Sinner in the 2026 Australian Open fourth round this Monday, January 26. The action will start at 2:00 AM (ET).

Luciano Darderi vs Jannik Sinner: Time by State in the USA

ET: 2:00 AM
CT: 1:00 AM
MT: 12:00 AM
PT: 11:00 PM (January 25)

How to watch Luciano Darderi vs Jannik Sinner in the USA

Don’t miss this electrifying 2026 Australian Open clash between Luciano Darderi and Jannik Sinner live on Fubo. Other options: ESPN and Tennis Channel.

Born in Sydney on May 23, 1944, Newcombe gravitated toward sports from an early age but truly excelled on the tennis court. He became Australia’s junior champion in 1961 and repeated the feat in the following two years, earning a Davis Cup call-up at just 19 in 1963.

Over his career, Newcombe amassed 68 singles titles, including seven Grand Slam singles championships at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. He never captured a French Open singles title, but his achievements were nonetheless remarkable.

He also reached the world No. 1 ranking in singles, becoming the second player ever to hold the top ATP spot after Ilie Nastase when the official rankings were introduced in 1973.

The day he made Jimmy Connors mad

Newcombe’s career was defined by fierce rivalries with the era’s top stars, including Rod Laver, Arthur Ashe, Ilie Nastase, Guillermo Vilas, and Jimmy Connors.

One notable clash occurred ahead of the 1975 Australian Open final. Newcombe had accused Connors of avoiding him on the court, prompting a sharp response from the American.

Jimmy Connors said before the final: “Newcombe should talk more with his racket and less with his mouth. He says that I’ve been avoiding him, but I don’t need to avoid anyone. Whenever I reach a final, he’s not there”.

Despite Connors’ remarks, Newcombe won the final in four sets. The two would face each other four more times in their careers, with Connors winning each subsequent encounter.

Doubles and team success

Newcombe also reached World No. 1 in doubles, primarily partnering with Tony Roche. Together, they won 17 Grand Slam doubles titles. Including two mixed doubles titles, Newcombe’s career total across all Majors reached 26. In Davis Cup competition, he helped Australia secure five championships: 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1973.

Life after tennis

Newcombe retired from professional tennis in 1981. In 1986, he and Tony Roche were inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. From 1995 to 2000, he served as captain of Australia’s Davis Cup team, guiding them to victory in 1999.

He later relocated to Texas with his wife, former German player Angelika Pfannenburg, and founded the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch, which offers recreational tennis programs for children. Newcombe remains active in the tennis world, including presenting awards at the 2025 Australian Open.

While winning a Grand Slam is considered a top achievement in tennis, many players are able to only add one major trophy to their cabinets, becoming a “One Slam Wonder.” Some of them were surprising champions such as Brian Teacher, who won the 1980 Australian Open after almost pulling out of the tournament.

Teacher was born on December 23, 1954, in San Diego, California, and began playing tennis at a young age. He went on to play collegiate tennis at UCLA, where he earned All-American honors and helped the team win the NCAA Championship. After turning professional in 1973, Teacher steadily built his career on the ATP Tour.

“Pro tennis was just getting going then — the first U.S. Open as a professional event was in 1968, with players like Arthur Ashe and Tom Okker. It was exciting. I remember the first prize check was $14,000, and I thought, ‘Wow, this is exciting,” he told Talk Tennis podcast in 2022.

His first success came in doubles. Partnering with Bob Carmichael, they reached the semifinals of Wimbledon and the US Open. “That success gave me confidence to believe I might be able to make a living out of it and become a good singles player too,” he told Talk Tennis. Of course, he eventually had his biggest success at the Australian Open.

The Australian Open success

Prior to the 1980 Australian Open, he finished runner-up in five consecutive tournaments and was ranked No. 17 in the world when the tournament began. At the time, the Open was played on grass at the Kooyong Stadium, in a wealthy suburb in Melbourne. Teacher almost pulled out of the tournament due to marital problems.

According to Tennis Majors, Teacher phoned his wife to talk about the missed match points at the Sydney final, only to hear her say she wanted a divorce. Planning to head home and try to repair his marriage, he called Australian Open tournament director Colin Stubbs to withdraw from the draw. “I told Colin I’d hurt my back from playing all those finals in a row,” he recalled, “and he just said, ‘Too bad,’” he told the outlet.

His father-in-law persuaded him to stay and compete. He re-entered the main draw after another player withdrew, with the tournament director quietly adding him back in. With several top players absent from the field, he advanced to the final, defeating Peter McNamara in four sets along the way.

Then he reached glory by defeating Kim Warwick, who had battled Guillermo Vilas in a grueling semifinal played over two days. Warwick arrived with a shoulder injury, and Teacher prevailed 7-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Teacher would reach his highest ranking, world No. 7, in May 1981. He boasts wins over some of the best players of his time, including Jimmy Connors, Arthur Ashe, Stan Smith, Mats Wilander, and Ivan Lendl. In total, he won eight ATP Tour Singles Titles and 16 ATP Tour Doubles Titles.

Ups and downs: Retirement

The teacher soon discovered, as many other players do, that glory only can last so long. “Sports can be strange. You have ups and downs in life, injuries to manage, and everything else going on outside the court. I had quite a few injuries, including torn ligaments in my ankles, but I made it through and did the best I could,” he told Talk Tennis.

“I played on the tour for about 10 years, and then I got sick and tired of traveling. I stepped away from the tour for five or six years. Eventually, I got back into coaching, traveling on tour, and working with players. I’ve continued coaching and working with developing juniors ever since,” he said.

Among the stars whom he worked with are Andre Agassi and Greg Rusedski. Under his guidance, Rusedski climbed from world No. 85 to the top ten and reached the U.S. Open final. He also coached world No. 1 doubles players Jim Grabb, Richey Reneberg, Daniel Nestor, and Max Mirnyi.

His life with arthritis

One of Teacher’s downs was his diagnosis of arthritis, which he has said started when he was 19 years old. “I was diagnosed with arthritis in my spine and neck. I learned to live with it and learned to do stretching and yoga,” he told the Arthritis Foundation Youtube Channel in 2012.

“I had a biking accident and fell off my bike. The doctor told me, ‘I have good news for you and I have bad news for you. The good news is you did not break your hip. The bad news is you have bad osteoarthritis,’” he said, before explaining how the pain was “getting worse.”

“You feel like you’re trapped. It’s just a lousy feeling,” he explained. However, through physical activity, he was able to reduce the pain and feel better. “Just a short time ago, I didn’t think I’d be able to do any of the activities I’m doing today. Now, I’m able to go out and hit some tennis balls, have some fun, do a little weightlifting, mountain biking, stretching, and Bikram yoga. My life feels like it’s back on track. I’m feeling 100% better, though I still have a long way to go,” he said.

He currently runs his Tennis Academy in Southern California and has created an innovative tennis instructional app and platform designed to help coaches guide players in improving their shots without having to be in the same room.

Recently, tennis has been shaken by two prominent doping cases, with Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner serving bans after testing positive for prohibited substances. While many players have called for more transparency in the handling of such cases, this is not a new stance. Australian Open champion Petr Korda was also involved in a high-profile doping case, with his peers even threatening to boycott the Grand Slam upon his return.

Korda was one of the most skilled and creative players of his generation, known for his elegant left-handed game and attacking style. Born in Czechoslovakia in 1968, he turned professional in 1987 and quickly established himself as a formidable competitor on the ATP Tour.

His biggest achievement was to win the Australian Open in 1998, defeating Marcelo Rios, one of the best players to never win a Grand Slam, in straight sets in the final. The victory propelled him to a career-high ranking of No. 2 in the world. In addition to his Grand Slam success, he was also a finalist at the 1992 French Open, where he lost to Jim Courier.

Throughout his career, Korda won 10 ATP singles titles. He also had success in doubles, winning the 1996 Australian Open men’s doubles title alongside Stefan Edberg, as well as being runner-up at the 1990 French Open, partnering with Goran Ivanesevic. However, his legacy was tarnished by his doping case just months after his Grand Slam win.

Doping controversy and retirement

In July 1998, Korda tested positive for nandrolone, an anabolic steroid, following a match at Wimbledon. Korda lost 199 rankings points and $94,529 prize money he earned at the Championships. However, an independent tribunal decided not to suspend him, accepting his explanation that he didn’t know how the drug found its way into his system.

“I have never cheated and I have never taken any steroids to increase my performance on the court,” he told The Times of London in January 1999, ahead of the Australian Open. “When I first heard the news, I thought it was a bad joke, and it became a very difficult time for me and my family,” he added.

In that same interview, he insisted that he didn’t know why he tested positive, but admitted that he had some injections in his foot during Wimbledon. “When I have an injection, I always ask what is in it, but sometimes you just have to trust the person who administers it,” Korda explained.

Despite his claims, his peers, which include top players such as Andre Agassi, Jim Courier or Michael Chang threatened to boycott the 1999 Australian Open due to his participation. During an ATP players meeting, they confronted him, but the Czech didn’t say anything. He left the room flanked by three security guards, and chose to not speak to the press.

“I was assigned a black mark which obviously doesn’t belong to me and I’ll have to try and remove it, although I don’t know how yet,” Korda told Czech TV from Melbourne before the meeting (via CBS News). “I still can’t explain the mystery even to myself. I know very few people trust me now but I’ll do everything I can to solve it out,” he added.

At the end, the event followed through, but the pressure was there. Korda retired after failing to earn a wildcard to play Wimbledon in July of 1999, and in August of that year, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favor of the ITF and ATP, suspending him for 12 months. Of course, he never served the suspension, having left the sport.

His legacy: Coaching his son

Despite the bitter end to his career, Korda returned to tennis, coaching his son, Sebastian, who reached a career-high ranking of World No. 15 in 2024, as well as Czech player Radek Stepanek.

While Sebastian followed his father into tennis, his two older sisters took a different path. Jessica and Nelly both became professional golfers. Jessica also earned a major victory of her own, winning the Australian Open in 2012 at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

Addressing the situation, Toni Nadal stepped in to offer his perspective on the public’s reaction. Writing for El País, the Spaniard discussed the reasons behind the crowd’s behavior and the skepticism surrounding Djokovic.

“One question we should ask ourselves, after the facts, is why this protest unfolded in the stands,” Nadal wrote. “First, I understand the crowd’s disappointment and frustration. They paid for an expected spectacle and felt deprived of it”.

Nadal continued, “The second reason, and perhaps the most significant, is that over the years, Novak’s gestures and theatrics have fueled doubts about the authenticity of his injuries. When a player faces physical issues during a match of this magnitude, they typically exhaust every option—calling the physio, playing through pain—before ultimately retiring”.

He added, “On more than one occasion, we’ve seen Novak exhibit facial expressions and body language that contradict what’s happening on the court, casting doubt on the seriousness of his problems”.

Andy Roddick weighs in on Djokovic’s withdrawal

Former U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick also spoke about Djokovic’s treatment during the match on his podcast, Served. Roddick expressed disappointment in the crowd for booing the Serbian star.

“I didn’t like it. You can disagree with someone, but booing them as they leave, even if you’re unsure about their injury, is uncalled for,” Roddick said. “Even if you suspect they’re not hurt, there’s always a chance they are being truthful. Don’t boo“.

“I hated seeing him walk off the court to boos. Yes, Djokovic thrives in controversial situations and enjoys the clash, but as tennis fans, respect must come first,” Roddick added.

John McEnroe defends Djokovic

Tennis legend John McEnroe also came to Djokovic’s defense, criticizing the crowd’s reaction during Channel 9’s broadcast. “They can’t possibly be booing him,” McEnroe exclaimed. “Please! He’s won this 10 times, for god’s sake. Unreal. The guy is a battler. Him and Rafa [Nadal] have dug deeper than any two players I’ve ever seen“.

McEnroe’s passionate response highlighted Djokovic’s history of resilience and success, underscoring the frustration felt by many in the tennis community over the crowd’s lack of respect for one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Bolavip are present in Copenhagen, where the Davis Cup clash between Denmark and Serbia takes place Friday and Saturday. Ahead of that series, we had the opportunity to speak to former No. 12 in the world and current coach for the Serbian Davis Cup team, Viktor Troicki.

Here, he shared his thoughts on the drama that circulated around Djokovic during the Australian Open. Djokovic picked up an injury during his match against Carlos Alcaraz, and despite winning that match, he couldn’t finish the following match against Alexander Zverev, where he was forced to retire due to a muscle tear injury.

Troicki slams ‘disrespectful and disappointing’ behavior towards Djokovic

Immediately after the Serbian’s retirement against Zverev, the crowd were booing Djokovic, which Viktor Troicki noticed and found very disrespectful and disappointing.

“They were booing him after the injury, which I don’t think happens in any sport. Not even in soccer, where the crowd is normally more wild. When someone gets injured in soccer, even an opponent, they will applaud you and wish you to get better,” he initially says to Bolavip and continues by saying:

“That’s why it was surprising to see, especially in a place where he has played his best tennis and has won 10 titles, that he got booed after the injury. It was really disrespectful and disappointing.

“They are booing him in the crowd, which was not happening before in Australia. I think they were admiring his results more and greeting the champion with more respect in the past.”

Troicki claims Channel 9 reporter should be ‘fired’ and ‘banned’ from covering tennis

The famous Channel Nine reporter Tony Jones was a part of one of the most widely covered situations, after he claimed in the studio that Djokovic has been and is overrated, just as he ended his comments by saying “kick him out”. Something he said in front of a big Serbian crowd, which Djokovic found insultive and offensive.

“There was the situation around channel nine, which I noticed as well. If I had hired that journalist (Tony Jones, ed.), I would have fired him straight away. He would never work in sports again,” says Viktor Troicki.

“I think they are treating Novak worse and worse. It is surprising and disappointing to see the greatest player of all time experiencing so many bad things happening in Australia again. After Covid and what they did to him a few years ago, it has never been the same.”

Later on, Tony Jones has given Djokovic an official apology, however Serbian coach Viktor Troicki thinks the reporter should face bigger consequences.

“To mock an athlete during the tournament is unacceptable. I don´t think an apology is enough. I think he should be banned for life from covering tennis”, he ends the interview with Bolavip.

Davis Cup will be without Djokovic

Despite being the name who got the most attention at the media day in Copenhagen, Djokovic won’t actually play for Serbia in Denmark, due to the injury he picked up against Zverev.

The matches take place both Friday and Saturday in the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, where Denmark have seen their chances increase due to the absence of Novak Djokovic.

This round in Davis Cup is the 1st qualifier round and the winner qualifies for 2nd qualifiers, where it is going to be decided, which eight teams will play in the Davis Cup finals.

[Watch Jannik Sinner vs Alexander Zverev online for FREE in the US on Fubo]

The stage is set for an electrifying Australian Open final, as Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev prepare to battle for the first Grand Slam title of the year. On one side the reigning champion, Sinner, aims to add another major trophy to his collection,

On the other side of the net, Zverev enter the match fresh off win, advancing after Novak Djokovic retired following the first set. Despite being the underdog, Zverev possesses the talent and resilience to challenge Sinner in what promises to be a must-watch showdown for tennis fans.

When will the Jannik Sinner vs Alexander Zverev match be played?

Jannik Sinner takes on Alexander Zverev in the 2025 Australian Open final this Sunday, January 26. The match is set to begin at 3:30 AM (ET).

Jannik Sinner vs Alexander Zverev: Time by State in the USA

ET: 3:30 AM

CT: 2:30 AM

MT: 1:30 AM

PT: 12:30 AM

How to watch Jannik Sinner vs Alexander Zverev in the USA

Catch this thrilling 2025 Australian Open showdown between Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev live on Fubo (free trial). For in-depth coverage, don’t miss the action on ESPN+ and ESPN2.