Top five title favourites in men's singles at Australian Open 2026
Jannik Sinner is all set to defend his title at Australian Open 2026.
The first Grand Slam major of the 2026 tennis calendar is fast approaching as the Australian Open 2026 gears up to get underway in Melbourne from January 18.
The world’s best players will once again battle it out on the blue hard courts, all chasing early-season glory and one of the most prestigious titles in the sport.
Defending champion Jannik Sinner enters the tournament with momentum, having capped off his previous Australian Open campaign with easy wins over Ben Shelton in the semifinals and Alexander Zverev in the final.
With form, fitness, and pressure all in play, the spotlight now turns to the leading contenders tipped to challenge for the men’s singles crown at the Australian Open 2026.
Men’s singles title contenders at Australian Open 2026
5. Félix Auger-Aliassime
Félix Auger-Aliassime, currently ranked World No. 8 enters the tournament as a dark horse. The 25-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence, posting one of his best career years in 2025 by winning 24 of his last 31 matches after a mid-season turnaround.
This included a US Open semi-final, strong showings at Masters events, and a career-high ranking push fueled by renewed confidence, physical health, and consistency on hard courts.
4. Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev, the World No. 3 and a consistent top contender in Australia, enters the Open as the fourth or fifth favorite behind Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic.
The 28-year-old German arrives in Melbourne fresh off a runner-up finish in the 2025 edition, where he reached the final but fell in straight sets to Sinner (6-3, 7-6, 6-3).
This marked his best result at the tournament and adding to his strong historical record here, including semi-finals in 2020 and 2024, with an impressive 76% career win rate on these hard courts.
Despite a challenging 2025 season marred by injuries and inconsistent form (including a first-round Wimbledon exit), Zverev’s powerful serve, penetrating groundstrokes, and physical presence make him particularly suited to Melbourne’s conditions. His main challenge would be overcoming Alcaraz should he reach the semi-finals.
Also Read: Top five title favourites in women’s singles at Australian Open 2026
3. Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic enters the Australian Open 2026 as a bleak contender, despite his unparalleled history at Melbourne Park where he has claimed a record 10 titles, transforming the venue into his personal fortress.
At 38 years old, he demonstrated remarkable consistency in 2025 by reaching the semifinals of all four Grand Slams, becoming the oldest man in the Open Era to achieve this feat in a single season.
But not securing a major since 2023 and holding a poor record against Sinner continues to haunt the Serbian. Against both Sinner and Alcaraz, he has struggled to win sets in recent encounters, with fitness being a massive concern for the Serb.
His seeding at No. 4 ensures a potentially favorable draw, but the main challenge begins post the final eight round.
2. Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz, the World No. 1 and top seed at the Australian Open 2026, is a prime contender driven by his quest to complete the Career Grand Slam, having already triumphed at the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.
Though he has yet to advance beyond the quarterfinals in Melbourne, his explosive all-court game, featuring powerful groundstrokes and exceptional athleticism, is well-suited to the hard courts, as evidenced by his recent exhibition victory over Sinner.
Entering the tournament without warm-up events but appearing relaxed and focused, Alcaraz’s 2025 season was highlighted by deep runs and a shared dominance of the last eight Slams with Sinner.
He holds the edge over the Italian in their meetings, but the question would be if he can conquer him on his favorite turf. Also, recent coaching split with Juan Carlos Ferrero makes one wonder how the Spaniard will handle himself under pressure.
Also Read: Australian Open 2026: Updated schedule, fixtures, results, live streaming details
1. Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner stands out as a leading contender for the Australian Open 2026 men’s singles title, returning as the two-time defending champion after victories in 2024 and 2025, aiming to become only the second man in the Open Era, after Djokovic to secure three consecutive titles at Melbourne Park.
Seeded No. 2 and recognized as the most complete baseliner in the field, Sinner’s game has evolved with an improved serve, a rock-solid backhand, and a versatile forehand that excels on hard courts, making him the safest bet for deep tournament progression.
Who is the favorite to win the Australian Open 2026 men’s singles title?
Jannik Sinner is the leading favorite, entering the tournament as the two-time defending champion with dominant recent performances on hard courts and a strong record at Melbourne Park.
Who are the biggest challengers to Jannik Sinner at Australian Open 2026?
The main challengers include Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, and Félix Auger-Aliassime, each bringing different strengths, experience, and hard-court pedigree.
Why is Carlos Alcaraz considered a top contender in Melbourne?
Alcaraz is chasing a Career Grand Slam and possesses an explosive all-court game suited to fast hard courts, along with a strong head-to-head record against Sinner despite limited success at the Australian Open so far.
Which surface favors most contenders at Australian Open 2026?
The fast hard courts favor aggressive baseliners and big servers like Sinner, Zverev, and FAA.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.