Dec 17, 2025 – Alcaraz ends his seven‑year coaching partnership with Juan Carlos Ferrero, posting on social media that the split comes after a collaboration that began when he was 15; he stresses the Australian Open is his only remaining major to complete a career Grand Slam and notes his team will rely on Samuel Lopez moving forward [23][17].

Dec 19, 2025 – The 2025 season is defined by “Sincaraz,” as Alcaraz and Sinner sweep the last eight majors, Sabalenka retains the WTA No. 1 ranking, Italy dominates the top‑10 and Davis Cup, and the tour plans a new Saudi Masters event from 2028 and a Six Kings Slam in Riyadh with a $6 million prize [26].

Jan 7, 2026 – Todd Woodbridge warns that Alcaraz loses a “security blanket” without Ferrero, heightening pressure to win the Australian Open and shifting the headline narrative to the Alcaraz‑Sinner rivalry as the season’s marquee storyline [25].

Jan 16, 2026 – Tournament preview frames Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz as the men’s favourites in Melbourne, while Novak Djokovic is positioned as the chief challenger seeking a record 25th Grand Slam [16].

Jan 17, 2026 – Djokovic declares his 25th‑major goal “not a make‑or‑break” aim, focuses on current form, and publicly steps away from the PTPA over governance concerns, while the association pursues a settlement with Tennis Australia [15].

Jan 18, 2026 – Alcaraz defeats Adam Walton in straight sets in his first Grand Slam match after the Ferrero split, says two weeks of holiday reset his mind, and reiterates his aim to become the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam [14].

Jan 19, 2026 – Djokovic posts a serving masterclass to claim his 100th Australian Open win and 100th Melbourne Park victory, dropping only five points on serve and noting the milestone fuels his motivation for a 25th title [13][22].

Jan 21, 2026 – Alcaraz plays a round of golf with Roger Federer, praises Federer’s “beautiful” swing, and then beats Yannick Hanfmann in the second round, keeping his path to a career Grand Slam alive [21].

Jan 22, 2026 – Djokovic reaches 399 Grand Slam wins, one shy of 400, while 40‑year‑old Stan Wawrinka becomes the first man over 40 to reach the Australian Open third round since 1978, highlighting longevity in the sport [20].

Jan 23, 2026 – Analysts observe that Alcaraz and Sinner have captured eight straight majors, warning that a two‑horse dominance could dampen public interest in Grand Slam tennis [11].

Jan 25, 2026 – Djokovic advances to the quarter‑finals via a walkover after Jakub Mensik withdraws with an abdominal injury, remains unbeaten and set‑scoreless, and eyes a potential semi‑final against Alcaraz or Sinner [10].

Jan 27, 2026 – Djokovic wins three consecutive matches without dropping a set, narrowly avoids a default after a ball‑girl incident, and prepares for a possible semi‑final clash with Alcaraz or Sinner [9].

Jan 28, 2026 – Djokovic reaches the semi‑finals after Lorenzo Musetti retires with a thigh injury, keeping his chase for a 25th Grand Slam alive [8].

Jan 29, 2026 – The semi‑final draw features Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev and Sinner vs Djokovic, marking the first Open‑era occurrence of the top four seeds all reaching the semi‑finals [7].

Jan 30, 2026 – Alcaraz survives a five‑hour, 27‑minute marathon against Zverev, winning 7‑5 in the fifth set despite cramping; Djokovic defeats Sinner in a five‑set thriller, saving eight break points to force a four‑hour, nine‑minute win [5][6].

Jan 31, 2026 – Djokovic says the final “is no different from any other big match” and still targets a record 25th title, while Alcaraz declares the Australian Open title would complete his Grand Slam and chooses it over the other three majors [4].

Feb 1, 2026 – Alcaraz beats Djokovic 2‑6, 6‑2, 6‑3, 7‑5 to become the youngest career‑Grand‑Slam champion, lifts his seventh major, calls the victory “a dream come true,” thanks his new coaching staff, and looks ahead to Roland Garros while noting a calendar slam would be “a big challenge” [1][3][18][19].

Feb 5, 2026 – Alcaraz’s Australian Open win ties him with John McEnroe and Mats Wilander at seven career Slam titles, while Elena Rybakina captures her second Grand Slam by defeating Aryna Sabalenka and rises to world No. 3 [24].

2028 – The ATP schedule expands to include a tenth Masters event in Saudi Arabia, adding a new tournament to the existing nine Masters 1000 stops [26].

2025 – The Six Kings Slam in Riyadh offers a $6 million winner’s purse, dwarfing Grand Slam prize money and reshaping player scheduling incentives [26].