Aryna Sabalenka three-peat, Carlos Alcaraz ‘slam’ and Australian Open storylines
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There should be plenty of drama as opening grand slam of the season gets underway at Melbourne Park. The Australian Open returns with Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka looking to defend their titles and a number of other storylines to watch out for in the opening grand slam of the tennis season.
![[Sabalenka won back-to-back Australian Opens last year]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/09/16/GettyImages-1966852831.jpg)
Novak Djokovic’s partnership with Andy Murray has dominated the headlines and will be a subject of focus in Melbourne as the Serbian bids for a record-extending 11th title. World No 1 Sinner makes his first defence of a grand slam while Sabalenka bids for a third title in a row on Rod Laver Arena. But Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff will be leading the challenge.
![[Gauff and Sabalenka are on the same side of the draw]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/09/16/GettyImages-1959672101.jpg)
Aryna Sabalenka eyes rare Australian Open three-peat. Ever since the intense drama of Aryna Sabalenka’s big breakthrough at the Australian Open in January 2023, the Belarusian has largely been dominant at the hard-court grand slams. The two-time defending champion in Melbourne lost just one match at the Australian Open and US Open in the past two years, and that was the Flushing Meadows final that she definitely should have won against Coco Gauff in 2023.
![[Alcaraz faced Djokovic in a practice session on Rod Laver Arena]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/10/16/GettyImages-2193201147.jpg)
Overall, Sabalenka stands with a 27-1 combined record on the hard-court grand slams, as stressful, tense battles have developed into more comfortable progress. Last year, she won a second Australian Open title without dropping a set and overcoming Jessica Pegula to win the US Open despite a near-wobble will only imbue the new World No 1 with more confidence as she looks to maintain her dominant form.
![[Iga Swiatek discussed her doping case at a press conference]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/10/07/10-67301e5795564653a0cb712d6716061d.jpg)
