‘Crazy’ Nadal record under threat; superstar opens up on doping saga — Aus Open Daily

The Australian Open gets underway on Sunday and 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz is eyeing an incredible feat which Roger Federer said would be “crazy”.

Plus, Jannik Sinner opened up on how he handled last year’s doping saga.

Read on for that and more of the latest Australian Open news.

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FEDERER ON ALCARAZ’S ‘CRAZY’ BID AT HISTORY

Roger Federer said that Carlos Alcaraz winning the Australian Open to complete the career Grand Slam aged just 22 would be “crazy”.

Spain’s Alcaraz already has six major titles but success on the Melbourne Park hard courts is a glaring hole in his resume.

Should the world number one snap his Australia drought at the tournament starting on Sunday, he would become the youngest man to seal a career Grand Slam.

“At his young age to be able to complete the career Grand Slam already would be crazy,” Swiss legend Federer said at Melbourne Park, where he will headline a “Battle of the World No.1s” at the official launch of the 2026 Australian Open on Saturday.

“Let’s see if he’s able to do ‘crazy’ this week. I hope he does because for the game that would be an unbelievable and special moment.”

Alcaraz is aiming to surpass retired compatriot Rafael Nadal, who secured all four majors by the age of 24, but the top seed has not made it past the quarter-finals in four previous Australian Opens.

Federer, a six-time Melbourne champion, compared Alcaraz’s wait to lift the title there to Rory McIlroy’s agonising attempts to win a first Masters in golf.

The Northern Irishman finally did it last year to complete the Grand Slam. “It’s like Rory going for the Masters. Those things are tough,” said Federer. Alcaraz faces home hope Adam Walton in the first round.

The now-retired Federer was also asked by reporters about Joao Fonseca, an up-and-coming Brazilian tennis talent aged 19.

Federer spoke glowingly of the teenager, saying: “What separates him from a lot of the other guys in the draw is just his power — forehand, backhand, serve and just what he’s able to bring point by point.

“He’s exciting, he’s got good aura, he’s a very likeable character as well. I like watching him play.

“The sky’s the limit.”

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SINNER OPENS UP ON ‘DIFFICULT’ DOPING SAGA

Jannik Sinner said Friday a three-month doping ban last year made him stronger as a person and more relaxed on court as he prepares to defend his Australian Open title.

The 24-year-old arrived at Melbourne Park last year under intense pressure, not knowing his fate after a drugs scandal.

He managed to put aside the noise and win the title but his career was put on hold afterwards as he served the three-month suspension for twice testing positive for a banned anabolic steroid in 2024.

Sinner always maintained the product entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who had used a spray containing it to treat a cut.

While the World Anti-Doping Agency said Sinner did not intend to cheat, it ordered him to serve the ban as he was responsible for the actions of his entourage.

“Last year was definitely a much more difficult situation because in this moment last year I didn’t know exactly what’s going to happen,” he said.

“So I tried still to enjoy it when I went out on the court, but still had it in my head kind of.

“It was difficult for me, but also for the family. I tried to stay with the people I really love, which at times worked very well. At times it was a bit disappointing, too.”

Sinner’s ban expired in May and he bounced back to win Wimbledon and the ATP Finals, ending the year as world number two behind fierce rival Carlos Alcaraz.

He said the experience had made him a better person.

“It is what it is, right? After that, I think everything happens for a reason,” he said.

“It got me even stronger as a person. The person I’ve become it’s much more mature in a way because I see things when they’re not going in the right direction different ways.

“Whatever comes on court, result-wise, that’s all an extra,” he added.

“I live the sport also in a very different way now, which is relaxed, but I give everything I have. It’s a balance of everything. So yeah, I’m very happy.”

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Sinner saw off Alexander Zverev in straight sets to win the title a year ago, having come from two sets down to defeat Daniil Medvedev in the 2024 Australian Open final.

Should he win three in a row he would join Novak Djokovic as the only men in the Open era to do so.

The Serbian legend has done the three-peat twice during his 10 titles at Melbourne Park and could meet Sinner in the semi-finals this year, if both get that far.

The Italian will get his campaign under way against France’s Hugo Gaston, with master coach Darren Cahill again in his corner.

The pair joined forces in June 2022 and Cahill has overseen Sinner’s elevation to the top of the game.

“He’s so important for all of us, for all the team. He has this huge experience,” Sinner said having convinced the Australian to put his retirement plans on hold.

“He’s the man who has under control kind of everything. He’s our dad for the whole team.”

WHY RECORD AUS OPEN MOVE ISN’T QUITE ENOUGH

Coco Gauff said that a record prize pool at the Australian Open starting on Sunday was “progress” but “still not where we’d like it”.

The leading players in men’s and women’s tennis joined forces last year seeking from the four majors a higher percentage of tournament revenue and contributions towards welfare programmes such as pensions.

They also want to be consulted when any of the Grand Slams consider making changes that could directly affect them.

The Australian Open pledged a 16 percent increase in the total prize purse to Aus$111.5 million (US$75 million) this year.

The winners of the men’s and women’s singles at the first Grand Slam of the year will each take home Aus$4.15 million, up 19 percent from last year.

Asked on Friday about the increase, two-time major champion Gauff said: “The percentage is still, of revenue comparison, not where we would like it.

“I think there’s still further conversations that have to be had, not just with the Australian Open, but with all the slams.”

She added: “The collective feeling is that, yes, there’s been progress, but I still think it’s not where we would like to see it.”

Top players say the changes they are after would benefit the entire tennis ecosystem, and not just those at the top.

Asked if she expects more talks with the slams in 2026, Gauff said: “I think no one wants this conversation to be continuing for years and years.

“So I would imagine that we would continue to have those conversations and maybe more pressure being applied with especially the top 10.”

World number three Alexander Zverev, last year’s beaten Australian Open finalist, struck a less upbeat tone.

“Don’t really feel like there’s any progress, to be honest,” the German said.

“I feel like it’s just a lot of talk, a lot of time invested into it, and not really any changes.” Women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka — who like Gauff has represented the players in talks with the majors — was asked if the Australian Open concessions were enough.

“I think we always can do better,” the four-time Grand Slam champion replied. “But I think all of the slams, they are trying to work together with us and come to a conclusion. I hope one day we’ll get to a happy place for everyone.”

WHY RACE FOR WOMEN’S FINAL ISN’T JUST BETWEEN TWO

World number one Aryna Sabalenka insisted Friday that the race to the Australian Open title was wide open and not just between herself and Iga Swiatek.

The Belarusian and Poland’s world number two Swiatek share 10 Grand Slam crowns between them and have been a dominant force over the past few years.

But Sabalenka, who won in Brisbane last week, said there were multiple threats to the duo at Melbourne Park.

“I think it’s actually not only about me and Iga,” she said.

“There is Coco (Gauff), Elena (Rybakina), Jessica (Pegula). It’s not only about me and her, to be honest.”

There is also Madison Keys, who stunned Sabalenka to win her maiden Slam in an inspired performance on Rod Laver Arena last year.

Sabalenka went into the final aiming to become the first woman since Martina Hingis to win three consecutive Australian Opens.

“That final was a tough one. She played incredible. Took me a little time to recover,” admitted the Belarusian.

“We had matches after that. I kind of worked on my mistakes in those matches. Coming into this Australian Open, I’m not really focusing on that result last year.

“But of course I would like to do just a little bit better than I did last year.”

Sabalenka had an unusual lead-in to the Australian Open, playing Nick Kyrgios in a much-criticised “Battle of the Sexes” in Dubai before heading to Brisbane.

She said it served her well for a tilt at a fifth Grand Slam title. “I had a great off-season, so I was really recovered and ready,” she said.

“Yeah, I played extra exhibitions, but I think they all made sense. It’s good to have matches to test a couple things that I’ve been working on during the pre-season.

“I had a great preparation. Then there was a really high-intensity match against Nick, which is also part of my preparation.

“By the end of the pre-season, I felt really strong and ready.”

Sabalenka kicks off her campaign against French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah.

Swiatek, who has won the French Open, US Open and Wimbledon but is yet to go past the semi-finals in Melbourne, faces Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue.