Australian Open 2026: Alcaraz v Sinner, Djokovic eyes history, Sabalenka and Swiatek go for Grand Slam glory

Alcaraz is not the only player aiming to make a clean sweep of the Slam titles.

Like Alcaraz, Poland’s Iga Swiatek has six Grand Slam titles and the Australian Open is the missing piece of the puzzle.

The 24-year-old has already cemented his place as a future great after winning Wimbledon last year, which few, including himself, predicted.

But defeats to Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic in the curtain-opening United Cup showed that Swiatek needed to sort a few things out quickly in Melbourne.

Swiatek says he can “hear” the talk about a career Slam but intends to rule out any thoughts of achieving it.

“Of course, this would be a dream come true. When I wake up, this is not my clear goal. I think more and more about how I want to play, what I want to improve every day,” he said.

Gauff joins Swiatek as part of a triumvirate that has won nine of the last 12 majors, but it is the third member – two-time Melbourne champion Aryna Sabalenka – who is the pre-tournament favourite.

World number one Sabalenka warmed up by winning the Brisbane title last week but believes it doesn’t matter much.

“That’s why tennis is so beautiful, because you can’t predict anything,” said the 27-year-old Belarusian player, who lost to Madison Keys in the Australian Open final last year.

“Every day you go out there and prove your level.”