The 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner have been drawn in the same half of the Australian Open men’s singles draw, which was revealed on Thursday.
Djokovic will begin his campaign against Pedro Martinez, while Sinner faces French left-hander Hugo Gaston in the opening round.
Meanwhile, world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz is in the same half as last year’s runner-up Alexander Zverev. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who is aiming to capture his seventh major title and complete a career Grand Slam, will open against home hope Adam Walton.
The record 10-time champion Djokovic and two-time defending titlist Sinner could meet in a blockbuster semifinal at the season’s first major.
Djokovic, 38, is chasing his 25th Grand Slam crown, which would break his tie with Margaret Court for the most major singles titles in tennis history.
Second seed Sinner is aiming for a three-peat at Melbourne Park and his fifth major title overall, according to ATP.
Sinner made an appearance ahead of the draw ceremony and spoke about his outlook for the tournament. “The draw is very difficult; it doesn’t matter who you play. We are the best players in the world, and the road is very long. We will go day by day,” he was quoted as saying by the ATP Tour.
Other eye-catching opening-round matchups include sixth seed Alex de Minaur against former world No. 6 Matteo Berrettini, while Zverev faces big-serving Gabriel Diallo.
Meanwhile, fan favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis announced his withdrawal from the men’s singles shortly before the draw ceremony.
Kokkinakis had withdrawn from his second-round match at the Adelaide International on Wednesday due to a right shoulder injury, handing Valentin Vacherot a walkover.
He suffered a flare-up of the shoulder issue but played through the pain to secure a gallant victory in his first singles match in almost a year at the Adelaide International earlier this week.
(IANS)
