Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner in same half of Australian Open draw

Two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner and record 10-time winner Novak Djokovic are in the same half of the Australian Open draw, revealed Thursday in Melbourne.

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain is the top seed for the ATP Tour season's first Grand Slam, where action begins Sunday. Italy's Sinner is the No. 2 seed, followed by Germany's Alexander Zverev, Serbia's Djokovic and Italy's Lorenzo Musetti at No. 5.

"The draw is very difficult; it doesn't matter who you play," said Sinner, who boasts a 22-4 tournament record. "We are the best players in the world and the way is very, very long and very far. We will go day by day."

Sinner, 24, and Djokovic, 38, would meet in a blockbuster semifinal if each wins his first five matches. Sinner has won five straight meetings to take a 6-4 lead in their head-to-head series, including a four-set semifinal win en route to the 2024 Australian Open title.

Sinner is seeking his fifth Grand Slam title, while Djokovic is looking for historic No. 25. That would break a tie with Margaret Court for the most major singles titles in tennis history.

Sinner opens up against Hugo Gaston of France. Djokovic's first-round opponent is Pedro Martinez of Spain.

Alcaraz, 22, has won each of the other three Grand Slam tournaments twice but is looking for his first championship at the Australian Open, where he reached the quarterfinals in 2024 and 2025.

Alcaraz will begin against a home-country favorite as he meets Adam Walton of Australia.

Popular Australian player Thanasi Kokkinakis announced his withdrawal just before the draw ceremony due to injury.

--Field Level Media