Alexander Zverev puts Jannik Sinner above Novak Djokovic & Carlos Alcaraz in Australian Open favorites tier

Alexander Zverev has sparked conversation in the run-up to the Australian Open 2025 by naming World No.1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner as his favorite to win the year’s first Grand Slam. In what appears as a bold prediction, Zverev ranked the young Italian above the likes of World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic—the man with the most titles in the history of the Australian Open.

Speaking during a press conference ahead of the 2025 Australian Open on January 10, Friday, Zverev said:

“I think it's always very exciting in Australia. But yeah, I think the biggest favorites are still Jannik is very far up that list. He's still No. 1 by a big margin I think on the favorite list. Then Carlos and Novak, obviously I see them as well very high up the list,” Zverev said.

Jannik Sinner beat Daniil Medvedev after being two sets down to win the Australian Open last year and became the first Italian player ever to clinch the Slam Down Under.

His run to the final also included a stunning semifinal win over Novak Djokovic, which was the Serb’s first defeat at the Australian Open since 2018.

Following his Major in Australia, Sinner reached the semifinal of the French Open and subsequently rose to the top of the ATP rankings, becoming the first Italian to achieve the feat.

Jannik Sinner’s year only got better as he went on to win the US Open after defeating Taylor Fritz, becoming only the third male tennis player to win his first two Majors in the same year.

All of this came in a season when Sinner had tested positive for a banned steroid but escaped a ban after he appealed to the International Tennis Integrity Agency and was deemed to bear 'no fault or negligence' by an Independent Tribunal. However, WADA has filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sports, seeking a one to two-year ban on the 2024 Australian Open winner.

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Jannik Sinner to being Australian Open title defence against Nicolas Jarry

Jannik Sinner will begin his Australian Open title defense when he takes on Chile’s Nicolas Jarry in the first round on Monday, January 13. The Italian last played in the Davis Cup final in November last year, where he beat Tallon Griekspoor to lead Italy to their second consecutive Davis Cup. Sinner also clinched the ATP finals, defeating Taylor Fritz in straight sets.

Nicolas Jarry, on the other hand, comes into the matchup after a quarterfinal appearance at the Brisbane International last week. This will be the third appearance between the two after their head-to-head was evened out by the Italian in Beijing last year.

Jannik Sinner during a training session ahead of the Australian Open 2025. - Source: Getty

Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev faces qualifier Lucas Pouille in the opening round, while Novak Djokovic takes on American teenager Nishesh Basavareddy and Carlos Alcaraz locks horns with Alexander Shevchenko on January 12.