Speaking to the media in the Principality, the Spaniard expressed surprise and admiration for Sinner’s decision to compete in Monte Carlo so soon after his grueling “Sunshine Double” run in the States.

“Honestly, it surprised me that Jannik came to play here after Indian Wells and Miami,” Alcaraz said. “It shows the incredible physical condition he’s in. I really hope we can face each other here; we haven’t played a single time this season, and I’d love for that to happen on the clay!”Alcaraz is eager to kick off his 2026 clay campaign.

For fans, an Alcaraz-Sinner showdown would be the ultimate highlight of the week, especially given the high stakes: the winner-takes-all scenario for the world No. 1 ranking.

The path to a showdown between Alcaraz and Sinner

Because Alcaraz and Sinner are anchored at opposite ends of the bracket as the top two seeds, they are on a collision course that can only happen in the finals. Both stars face a gauntlet before they can reach that hypothetical championship match.

Alcaraz opens his campaign in the second round against clay-court specialist Sebastián Baez, while Sinner is projected to face Ugo Humbert. To make the “Sincaraz” final a reality, both players will need to navigate a field that includes the likes of Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud.

A statistical stalemate

An Alcaraz-Sinner clash in Monte Carlo would add a massive chapter to their “era-defining” rivalry. Heading into this tournament, Alcaraz holds a slim 11-6 lead in their head-to-head series (including a win in their epic 2025 French Open final).

“He has seven Slams; he is No. 1 in the world… Is he going to win every match of the year? No, that’s not going to happen,“ Nadal told reporters. “We have to congratulate and thank Carlos for everything he is doing for the sport.”

From the opening serve, Alcaraz struggled to find his rhythm. The Spaniard looked uncharacteristically flat, recording just two aces and converting only 2-of-5 break point opportunities.

The defeat comes as a massive shift in momentum. Following a Round of 64 victory over Joao Fonseca—who famously claimed Alcaraz was a “tougher riddle” to crack than Jannik Sinner—many pundits picked Alcaraz as the heavy favorite to hoist the trophy in Miami.

Alcaraz’s internal frustration boils over

The most alarming moment of the match didn’t come from a Korda winner, but from Alcaraz’s own bench. During a particularly grueling stretch, Alcaraz turned to his coaching team with a rare admission of defeat: “I’m done. I can’t do this anymore. Today, I just can’t do it.”

The uncharacteristic lapse in mental fortitude suggests a level of burnout or physical fatigue that has analysts questioning his readiness for the grueling schedule ahead.

Alcaraz issues passionate defense of South American tour

Outside of his performance on the court, Alcaraz has become a vocal advocate for the preservation of the South American “Golden Swing.” Amid reports that the ATP may reduce the number of clay-court events in the region to lighten player workloads, the World No. 1 made his stance clear.

“Personally, I loved it there. It’s a beautiful tour, but it’s a tough one, very, very tough,” Alcaraz noted, citing the humidity and demanding travel. “But to the players who haven’t been there, I’d say you have to experience it at least once. It’s truly one of the best experiences I’ve had on tour.“

“I think Alcaraz has more tools than Sinner. Jannik is almost mechanical, executing shots with precision and power. Carlos, on the other hand, is versatile. His game poses a bigger challenge,“ Fonseca commented.

Having competed against both players, Fonseca is well-positioned to assess who presents a tougher challenge in elite tournaments, despite having faced each player only once in ATP matches.

Fonseca is quickly becoming one of the brightest prospects on the ATP circuit, alongside Alcaraz and Sinner. He has notably excelled this past season, securing titles at both the ATP 250 in Buenos Aires and the ATP 500 in Basel.

Exploring Carlos Alcaraz’s complete game

Fonseca’s assertion that Alcaraz can “do it all” is backed by evidence. When Fonseca faced Alcaraz at the Miami Open, the Spaniard immediately showcased his multifaceted skills on the court.

Alcaraz’s forehand, his signature shot, stands out in high-pressure matches, averaging a speed of around 126 km/h (78 mph) and frequently surpassing 160 km/h (100 mph).

In addition, Alcaraz’s aggressive all-court play yields an impressive 72% success rate at the net over the last year. With over an 80% success rate across all surfaces, Alcaraz continues to solidify his position as one of the ATP circuit’s premier talents.

Assessing Jannik Sinner’s game

While Fonseca described Sinner as mechanical, there are areas the Italian can refine to reach the zenith of the sport.

Sinner holds a 37.5% win rate in five-set matches, with a record of 6 wins and 10 losses. He’s notably yet to win any of his longest matches, which have all stretched beyond four hours. After a loss to Alcaraz at the 2023 US Open, Sinner acknowledged becoming “too predictable.”

Although Sinner is arguably one of the top hard-court players globally, his performances on clay indicate significant potential for improvement.

“He’s my guy,” Alcaraz told reporters following his clinical win over the veteran Bulgarian. “I knew he was coming. He reached out and told me, ‘I’m doing my rehab nearby, so I’m going to show up to watch you.’ I was just really, really happy that after everything he’s been through with the surgery and the knee, he was able to make it out to my match.”

Butler was seen cheering from the stands at Indian Wells, a notable public appearance as he navigates a grueling recovery from a torn right ACL. The injury, sustained in January, prematurely ended his first full season with the Warriors, but his presence in “Tennis Paradise” underscored a high-profile friendship with Alcaraz that has become a recurring theme on the ATP Tour.

“I really appreciate that. I don’t get to see him very often, but the fact that he’s making the effort to come over means a lot,” Alcaraz said, reflecting on the support from the six-time NBA All-Star. “I’m just really happy about it.”

Alcaraz breaks down tactics against Dimitrov

While the scoreline suggested a straightforward afternoon, Alcaraz was quick to praise his opponent’s craftiness. The Spaniard used his post-match media availability to break down the adjustments required to neutralize one of the most aesthetic games on tour.

“His style is incredibly dangerous. I had to stay disciplined early, controlling the rallies when he tried to step in and dictate with the slice,” Alcaraz explained. “In these windy conditions, today’s win was even tougher than usual. I think I just adapted a little bit better as the match went on.”

With his perfect 13-0 start to the 2026 season intact, Alcaraz now turns his attention to a third-round clash against Arthur Rinderknech. The Frenchman advanced to the round of 32 via a walkover after Juan Manuel Cerundolo withdrew due to injury, setting up a rematch of their February encounter in Doha.

In line with ATP rules, top-tier tennis players attending a 250 or 500-tier event automatically receive a $1.2 million paycheck, regardless of their performance in the tournament. Thus, with both Alcaraz and Sinner having successfully completed their opening matches, they have already pocketed this significant amount.

During the first round, Sinner bested Czech player Tomas Machac in straight sets, while Alcaraz dispatched France’s Arthur Rinderknech, also in two sets. Both players are now poised in the Round of 16, eyeing a run at the Doha title.

This initial payday could expand considerably if they progress to the latter stages of the tournament. Considering the exceptional form both have demonstrated, deep runs seem entirely plausible.

Sinner and Alcaraz’s potential opponents

Now in the Round of 16, both Sinner and Alcaraz have their eyes set on advancing further. Sinner is slated to face Alexei Popyrin, while Alcaraz will confront Valentin Royer.

These matches are scheduled to take place on Wednesday. If both players continue their winning ways, a head-to-head clash between Sinner and Alcaraz would only take place in the final, as they are set on opposite paths in the draw.

This tournament not only serves as a significant opportunity for them to capture the title but also as crucial preparation for upcoming challenges. Both players will be gearing up for the remaining Grand Slam events and multiple Masters 1000 tournaments on the horizon as summer approaches.

Before finding out that Luciano Darderi would be his opponent on Sunday, Cerundolo addressed the media after his semifinal win over fellow Argentine Tomas Etcheverry (6-3, 7-5).

With Bolavip in attendance, Cerundolo was asked to build his ideal player choosing different active players at the ATP, including himself. He started by naming Jakub Mensik or Hubert Hurkacz for the serve.

Required to include himself, Cerundolo selected his forehand as his biggest strength. For the backhand, he went with Jannik Sinner. In mobility, Cerundolo opted for Alex de Minaur, while naming Carlos Alcaraz for overall play and Novak Djokovic for the return of serves.

Cerundolo chasing first Argentina Open title in year of big Grand Slam hopes

Earlier in the tournament, Cerundolo revealed his ambitious Grand Slam goals for this year after a tough 2025 where he failed to get past the third round at the Majors. He got off to a better start in 2026, reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open—tied with the 2023 and 2024 French Opens as his best Grand Slam results.

But first he has to take care of business in Buenos Aires, where he’s looking to win a title that has been elusive so far. It’s a tournament where Carlos Alcaraz emerged victorious in 2023, and a victory would certainly boost Cerundolo’s Grand Slam aspirations in 2026.

The first upcoming Major on the schedule is Roland Garros, and a successful ending in Argentina could give Cerundolo hope ahead of the biggest tournament played on clay.

Richard Krajicek is arguably the most successful Dutch tennis player ever. The former world No. 4 won Wimbledon in 1996, and in this exclusive interview Bolavip brings his view on some of the most interesting debates in tennis.

The state of the rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner

For more than a decade, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer were competing for all the Grand Slams and had a big rivalry, but in recent years a new rivalry has appeared in tennis. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are the two best players in the world and are currently sitting on the throne, which Krajicek didn’t expect to happen.

“Alcaraz and Sinner are both unbelievable players and they have an unbelievable rivalry. I certainly didn’t expect this to happen to tennis after Federer, Nadal and Djokovic. It is like a miracle,” Krajicek begins the interview with Bolavip in Rotterdam. He says he was a bit worried about what the state of tennis would be like in the new era after the Big Three.

“Of course, we still have Djokovic left. I want to say this is his last year, but with him you never know, probably he has three years left in him. But I was starting to think about what tennis is going to look like, even being a bit worried, and then these two guys arrived on the stage.”

Despite being different types of players and personalities, Krajicek enjoys watching both of them. He says: “Of course, they are very different. Alcaraz is very outgoing and has a lot of variety, whereas Sinner is more introverted and disciplined. Both of them are so popular and are playing amazing tennis, so I never expected this to happen so quickly after the Big Three.”

Krajicek explained further that Sinner, in his opinion, was better than Alcaraz last year, noting that he could just as well have won the French Open, as he had three match points before Alcaraz delivered a sensational comeback.

“Head to head Sinner is behind, but I have to say that in the middle of last year, Sinner was the better player. I mean, he basically won the French Open. I know he didn’t, but you know what I mean,” Krajicek said before explaining that he experienced a change, saying that Sinner played the US Open final completely wrong.

“But then something changed and at the US Open I think Sinner was playing the match completely wrong. He was going for way too many big shots. He was hitting so hard on his forehand and missing all the time. To me that was a sign of how much respect he has for Alcaraz.”

Alcaraz has seven Grand Slam titles, while Sinner has four, but despite this fact, Krajicek says that he considers the players to be on the same level: “For me, Alcaraz and Sinner are on the same level, but somehow I get the feeling Alcaraz is a bit ahead of him right now and Sinner is frustrated because he feels like he needs to go bigger and bigger to win points.”

The former Wimbledon champion believes Alcaraz and Sinner will keep battling each other for the major trophies, as they will constantly improve and push each other to become better players, while he also praised Alcaraz for his accomplishment of completing the career Grand Slam as the youngest player ever.

“I think it will continue to be like this all the time. At one point Alcaraz is better, then Sinner will become better and that continues happening, but in that way they can really push each other. I don’t see someone just running away with all the trophies all of a sudden.

“It was extremely important for Alcaraz to win the Australian Open because he needed those points and the way he did it was out of this world. Of course, it was amazing as well to see how he became the youngest ever to complete the Career Grand Slam. What he did physically and mentally was an amazing accomplishment.”

Federer is the greatest ever but Djokovic is the best

Many tennis fans around the world have probably already noticed that Alcaraz has multiple times in recent years changed his serve, and the most recent change came during the pre-season in 2026, where he changed his service motion in a way that is now very similar to the one Novak Djokovic has had for years, and Krajicek says that is something he particularly likes about the Spaniard.

“What I like about Alcaraz is that he is improving all the time, when he sees that he has to. He improved his serve because he had the feeling that he was chasing Sinner and needed to do that. That is very impressive to me. In that sense, he reminds me a lot of Djokovic, Federer and Nadal, because they always found a way to improve and beat each other.”

Novak Djokovic has 24 Grand Slam titles, Rafael Nadal has 22 and Roger Federer has 20, but Krajicek believes that both Alcaraz and Sinner have the potential to beat Djokovic’s Grand Slam record. However, there is a small question in terms of longevity that they still have to prove.

“Both of them have the potential to beat Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam record, but the big question is whether they will have careers that last 15 years or longer. That is the only question, because level-wise and mentality-wise they are both able to do it. In my opinion, they are at that level. But the special thing with Djokovic, Federer and Nadal was that they all played more than 15 years at the top, and we don’t know if they are able to do that.”

One of the debates that always comes up in tennis is who the Greatest Of All Time is. Arguably, Djokovic has already closed this debate with his numbers, and some people are even calling him the greatest athlete of all time. However, Krajicek believes that the debate is not only about numbers when speaking about the greatest player.

“I was talking to a friend of mine and we discussed who the greatest and the best athlete of all time is. I think there is a big difference between being the greatest and the best. If we just talk about tennis, to be the greatest is something extra. That is about what somebody meant for the game and for me the greatest tennis player of all time is Roger Federer.”

“What he has done for the game and his popularity say it all, but the best tennis player in history is Novak Djokovic. Without a doubt, I actually think that debate is very clear,” Krajicek says on the GOAT debate.

Rune can come back and win Grand Slams

One of the players who was expected to compete for a top spot in the rankings and Grand Slams was Danish player Holger Rune, but he has yet to do either, and currently he is out with a serious injury, as he tore his Achilles tendon last year in October. Krajicek himself was sidelined for 20 months in the later stages of his career, and the Dutchman has a few pieces of advice for the Dane.

“Maybe my advice would be to stay patient. The biggest mistake I made after being sidelined for 20 months following my elbow surgery was that I came back too quickly. I should have waited at least one more year, at least until I was fully fit. If I could go back in time, I would change it. The stop and start is not good physically or mentally.”

“Mentally I was struggling a lot, because these injuries are horrible. It is better to break something, because then you can take three or six months off, then it will be healed and everything is okay. He has to listen to the doctors and not rush back to the court. Mentally, going back to zero again is the toughest part, so he needs to be 100 percent fit when coming back.”

Krajicek underlined that you lose more than you win by rushing a comeback. He has to trust his body and be 100 percent sure everything is working again. Again, he needs to be patient, maybe even take two months longer than needed, because you lose much more than you win by speeding up the process.

Rune has multiple times explicitly said that he has very good doctors around him and that people should not be worried about him rushing a comeback. He is currently doing his rehab at the Aspetar Hospital in Qatar after having had his surgery and parts of his rehabilitation in Denmark. The surgery was done by the famous Danish doctor Morten Boesen.

Krajicek was clear when speaking about what to expect from Rune when he returns to tennis: “It is not going to be any problem at all for him to come back into the top five and win Grand Slams. He has the level and of course it will take a little bit of time, but Holger is an incredibly hard worker, so for me that is not a problem for him at all.”

The Dutchman is clearly impressed with Rune. However, he can recognize what the Dane has said prior to his injury about him not always being sure about his shot selection, as he has so many shots to choose from due to his qualities as a player.

“Holger always has a lot of options on the court because of his amazing level, especially on the backhand side. You never know if he will go crosscourt, hit it hard down the line, make a dropshot or something else. Sometimes that can be difficult as a very talented player, because when you are able to hit so many shots, the decision making can be hard.

“That is definitely something he has to work on, but he will manage. It was simple for me, because I did not have as many qualities. I just had to serve and come to the net,” Krajicek said before giving Rune one last advice:

“I actually have one piece of advice for him, which might be the most important one. During his injury, he has to watch a lot of tennis. I know he might suffer doing it, but he has to watch a lot of videos, especially of himself, Alcaraz and Sinner. He needs to analyze what they are doing and how he can do it.”

“This is not about technique, because he is already so technically gifted, but it is about strategy on the court. That helped me a lot mentally. I was trying to visualise myself doing what they did,” Krajicek concludes the interview with Bolavip.

Whether Rune will come back and compete with Alcaraz and Sinner, only time will tell, but one thing is sure. Krajicek believes in him and he believes that the current state of tennis is very good, with especially Alcaraz and Sinner on top at the moment.

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 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.

Among the skeptics is Australian legend Todd Woodbridge. The 22-time Major champion and former world No. 1 (doubles) didn’t mince words when assessing Alcaraz’s prospects for the upcoming season, suggesting that the Spaniard could go “Grand Slam-less” in 2026.

“I think it’s going to make it very difficult for Carlos to win a Major next year,” Woodbridge told the Australian Open’s official channels. “We know he’s good enough, but that change at this point in his career—I find it mind-boggling. We’re talking about one of the greatest coaching partnerships our game has seen”.

Woodbridge pointed to Alcaraz’s past performances without Ferrero in his player box as a cause for concern. “When Juan Carlos hasn’t been around, Carlos does not play as well. You can see him looking out into the stands; he’s actually a little unsure of himself. It’s going to take months to settle down,” he added.

The Sinner advantage

According to Woodbridge, the biggest beneficiary of this turmoil will be world No. 2 Jannik Sinner. The Italian is coming off a dominant 2025 and is now the heavy favorite to achieve a “three-peat” in Melbourne.

“Given this change, I think Jannik has the upper hand and he gets the three-peat,” Woodbridge added, noting that Alcaraz’s adjustment period may open the door for Sinner to tighten his grip on the rankings.

Ferrero breaks his silence

While the split was initially rumored to be mutual, Juan Carlos Ferrero recently provided more insight into the “breakup” during an interview with Radio Nacional Española. The former Roland Garros champion revealed that the impasse was primarily due to a contract dispute rather than a personal falling out.

“The new contract was sent to me, I didn’t agree with certain things, I let it be known, and no agreement was reached,” Ferrero explained. “I am true to my values… there were certain things I couldn’t accept because of who I am. We haven’t had any fights, but I haven’t spoken with Carlos yet”. For now, Alcaraz will be coached by Samuel Lopez as he heads into Melbourne, where he will look to prove the doubters—and Woodbridge—wrong.