Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic may be the frontrunners for the men’s crown at the Australian Open. However, two other players believe 2025 could be their year in Melbourne.
Daniil Medvedev has stated he is high in confidence after having ‘one of his best pre-seasons.’ The former world No.1 is yet to play a competitive match this season after delaying his return due to the birth of his second child. His last event was in November at the ATP Finals where he won one out of three matches played.
Nevertheless, Medvedev has a strong record at Melbourne Park which is the only Grand Slam where he has reached the final on three separate occasions. In two of those finals (2022 and 2024) he was leading by two sets to love before losing.
“I don’t want to make like too big of a statement, but I felt like it was one of the best pre-seasons I made,” Medvedev said on Friday.
“I feel great, because it gave me extra time to practise. I think we’re going to see a lot of interesting things from me, and I’m looking forward to it.”
The 28-year-old hopes to become more of a ‘disruptor‘ to the dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz who won 12 ATP titles between them last year, including all four major events.
“Last year, except the Australian Open, I was less of a disruptor because Carlos and Jannik were beating me a lot of times,” the 2021 US Open champion commented.
“A lot of tournaments I was getting to the good stages but not able to beat them.
“I would like to become again … let’s say a disruptor because it means that I will be able to get to these later stages and win them.
“At this moment they’re clearly the favourites, and that’s normal. I try to develop something (in the off-season), and let’s see if it works.”
Meanwhile, German world No.2 Alexander Zverev says he is entering the Australian Open with a ‘winning mindset.’ Zverev has yet to win a Grand Slam title of any sort but was twice a runner-up.
“Look, I think everybody knows what I’m chasing. Everybody knows what my goal and my dreams are, right? It’s to win,” he said.
“Going into a Grand Slam as the world number two, you have to have the mindset of: I want to win the tournament.
“That’s how my mindset is.”
Whilst he is hoping to triumph down under, Zverev believes it is the top-ranked Sinner who is the favourite for glory.
“But I think the biggest favourite is still Jannik, who is very far up that list. He’s still number one by a big margin.” He said.
In the first round, Medvedev will play Thai wild card Kasidit Samrej and Zverev faces Lucas Pouille.
