Tennis never truly takes a break. Even as the 2025 season officially closed, the drama kept unfolding far from the regular tour. Exhibition matches and off-court moves created headlines throughout the quiet period.
Exhibition Echoes and Coaching Shocks
Late December saw a controversial reboot of the famous 'Battle of the Sexes'. Nick Kyrgios stepped out of his self-imposed break to face women's World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. He defeated her in straight sets. The event drew criticism for its overly commercial feel and underwhelming competitive spirit.
In a more surprising development, Carlos Alcaraz made a major change. He parted ways with his long-time coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero. Ferrero guided Alcaraz from age 15 through his rise to six Grand Slam titles. This split marks a significant shift for the young Spanish champion as he enters a new season.
Novak Djokovic also made headlines. He began 2026 as he ended 2025, withdrawing from tournaments due to injury. Furthermore, Djokovic stepped away from the Professional Tennis Players' Association. He helped found this breakaway body as a rival to the ATP. Djokovic stated the group no longer aligns with his vision for the sport.
The Australian Open Beckons
The 2026 season is already ten tournaments deep just a fortnight in. The action accelerates with the first Grand Slam. The Australian Open runs in Melbourne from January 18 to February 1. Many off-season stories will likely influence the battles on court.
Men's Title: A Three-Way Fight?
The men's championship could again feature a familiar trio: Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic. Sinner and Alcaraz have dominated the last two years, splitting eight Grand Slams between them. Djokovic, however, remains a formidable force chasing history.
For a man nearing 39 in a brutal sport, Djokovic's 2025 was strong. He reached all four major semi-finals. Injury hampered his Australian Open, while Sinner or Alcaraz stopped him in the others. Djokovic now finds himself as the third wheel in the 'Sincaraz' era, much like his early days against Federer and Nadal.
"I lost three out of four slams in semis against these guys," Djokovic said after the US Open. "Best-of-five makes it very difficult for me to play them, especially in the later stages."
His body shows the strain of two decades on tour. A shoulder injury ended his 2025 season early and forced him out of the Adelaide Open tune-up event. Djokovic still seeks a record 25th Grand Slam title to surpass Margaret Court. The Australian Open, where he has ten titles, offers his best chance.
Alcaraz's New Challenge
Uncertainty surrounds Carlos Alcaraz. At just 22, he aims to become the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam. He has six major titles and the world number one ranking. Yet, the Australian Open remains his final frontier. His best result in Melbourne is a quarterfinal.
This tournament is his first without coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. Ferrero's disciplined guidance shaped Alcaraz into tennis's most dazzling talent. The Australian Open will test whether Alcaraz soars or stumbles without his longtime mentor.
It also sets the stage for his rivalry with Jannik Sinner to reach Melbourne. The top two players have met in the last three Grand Slam finals. Alcaraz won a dramatic five-setter at the French Open. Sinner took revenge at Wimbledon. Alcaraz then broke the tie at the US Open.
"I'm seeing you more than my family," Alcaraz joked with Sinner at the US Open trophy ceremony. Their fates are now intertwined. Alcaraz is the only man to beat Sinner in a major final, and Sinner is the only one to beat Alcaraz.
Their intense but respectful clashes have fully captivated tennis fans. Alcaraz leads their head-to-head 10-6, but Sinner closed the gap by winning the ATP World Tour Finals. Sinner, the two-time defending Australian Open champion, hopes to carry that momentum onto Melbourne's hard courts.
Women's Field: Consistency and Comebacks
The women's tour saw four different Grand Slam winners again in 2025. However, Aryna Sabalenka provided consistency by reaching three major finals. The Belarusian is a polarizing figure off court, but her powerful game makes her the player to beat on it. The reigning US Open champion and world number one started 2026 with a title in Brisbane.
Iga Swiatek leads the pack of challengers. In 2025, she shed her clay-court specialist label to win Wimbledon. She did so in stunning fashion, not dropping a single game to Amanda Anisimova in the final.
Anisimova herself was the season's surprise. After a 17-month break for mental health, she returned in late 2024. She then reached the finals of Wimbledon, the US Open, and the WTA Tour Finals in 2025, announcing a powerful comeback.
Another comeback story is brewing. Belinda Bencic returned to the tour last year after having a baby in 2024. She started 2026 strongly, leading Switzerland to the United Cup final with a 9-0 record. This week, she broke into the world's top 10, becoming the first player since Serena Williams in 2019 to do so after childbirth.
As the tour converges on Melbourne Park, tennis is alive with compelling narratives. Old legends chase history, young rivals intensify their duel, and champions return from breaks. The Australian Open promises to turn off-season drama into on-court glory.
