AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2026: JOHN MCENROE IS RIGHT: NOVAK DJOKOVIC CANNOT SURVIVE BOTH SINNER AND ALCARAZ NOW
John McEnroe questions if Novak Djokovic can overcome Sinner and Alcaraz to win an 11th Australian Open title at 38 years old.
John McEnroe calls Novak Djokovic’s ten Australian Open titles “mindblowing”, but he’s not convinced Novak can add another.
Djokovic grabbed his first Grand Slam trophy in Melbourne back in 2008, and the Australian Open has always suited him best. Now he’s chasing an 11th title there—and a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam overall.
“It’s mindblowing,” McEnroe said on TNT Sports. “We talk about Rafa winning 14 French Opens, and that already sounds impossible. Then you look at Novak, and he’s got ten in Australia. It makes you wonder—how does he pull this off every off-season?
“Sometimes he hasn’t played much, and you’re not sure where he’s at, physically or mentally. Then he shows up, does what he does, gets in his opponent’s head, and finds a way. It’s incredible.”
Last season, Djokovic reached the semi-finals at all four Majors, but his quest for a 25th Slam keeps running into Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Sinner beat him at Wimbledon and the French Open, and Alcaraz knocked him out at the US Open.
McEnroe thinks Djokovic still believes he can win in Melbourne, but he’s sceptical about Novak’s chances against both Sinner and Alcaraz in the final rounds.
“In his heart of hearts? I don’t think so. I don’t see him beating both those guys after five tough matches—that’s the problem. That’s the reality he’s facing.
“People might ask, ‘Why keep going if you haven’t won in a couple of years and you’re so used to winning?’ Honestly, why not?
“For me, he’s still No. 3 in the world. He made four semis last year and beat Alcaraz here. He must think he can win, or he wouldn’t play—he’s not the type to show up if he doesn’t believe. But it’s harder now since he doesn’t play as much.”
McEnroe also says Djokovic deserves more recognition. For years, he played in Federer and Nadal’s shadow, and now Alcaraz is the new fan favourite.
“He was like Ivan Drago with Nadal and Federer—those guys were adored, and then along comes Alcaraz, and everyone loves him too. Novak’s probably thinking, ‘Where’s my love? I deserve it.’ And he does.
“He’s been a huge positive for tennis; his record speaks for itself, and he’s always been sharp. The other players respect him. So go ahead, Novak, soak it up and enjoy every minute.”
Djokovic hasn’t played since early October 2025, when he won his 101st career title in Athens. He pulled out of Adelaide at the start of the year, saying he wasn’t “physically ready to compete”. TNT Sports expert Tim Henman thinks the real test for Djokovic is now physical.
“Last year, his consistency in the Slams was just brilliant. It took the two best players to beat him, and he even beat Alcaraz here.
“I’m really curious about where he’s at, not just tennis-wise but physically. It only gets tougher as you get older, and best-of-five matches are brutal.
“He’s raised the bar with his training and nutrition, but improving at this stage is tough. When you’re that good, there’s not much room left. His movement just can’t be what it was.
“When you can’t move as well, you’ve got to take more risks from the baseline and play more aggressively.”
THE 3.3.26 DATE: UNEARTHING THE ROMANTIC DETAILS BEHIND ARYNA SABALENKA’S PROPOSAL IN CALIFORNIA
Aryna Sabalenka is engaged: Read about the 3.3.26 proposal to Georgios Frangulis and the reactions from Gauff, Alcaraz, and Djokovic.
Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz are just a couple of the tennis stars who rushed to celebrate Aryna Sabalenka’s big news: she’s engaged to Georgios Frangulis.
Sabalenka dropped the announcement on social media right before kicking off her run at Indian Wells. As the world number one, she’ll jump straight into the second round, waiting to face either Alycia Parks or Himeno Sakatsume. But honestly, her focus seems split lately, and who can blame her? Off the court, she’s soaking up all the love and congratulations pouring in from fellow players.
She posted a video of the proposal on Instagram, adding a simple, sweet caption: “You & me, forever, 3.3.26.” Coco Gauff chimed in with a quick "Congratulations", and Alcaraz went all out with a stretched-out “Congratulatiooooons!” Ben Shelton and Amanda Anisimova also sent their best, and even Novak Djokovic shared some love. Sabalenka’s close friend Paula Badosa joined in, and skiing legend Lindsey Vonn couldn’t resist commenting either.
Now, with all the excitement swirling around her engagement, you have to wonder, can Sabalenka keep her head in the game at Indian Wells? Wedding plans are probably swirling in her mind, but if history tells us anything, it’s that Sabalenka knows how to lock in when it matters. Her serve is as deadly as ever, and she’s already put together an 11-1 win-loss record this season, with two finals under her belt.
She kicked things off with a title in Brisbane, then hit a snag in the Australian Open final against Elena Rybakina. No doubt, she’s itching to get back to her winning ways in California. The hard courts there play right into her strengths, and all four of her Grand Slam titles have come on this surface. Plus, she’s been a finalist at Indian Wells twice, so she’s got plenty of motivation to finally go all the way.
The field is stacked, so it won’t be easy. But honestly, if anyone’s primed for a breakthrough at Indian Wells, it’s Sabalenka.
TENNIS TRIPLE THREAT: ALCARAZ, SINNER, AND SABALENKA HUNT FOR GLOBAL SPORTS' BIGGEST INDIVIDUAL TROPHIES
Laureus 2026 nominees are out: Read why Alcaraz, Sinner, and Sabalenka are favourites to win global sports' most prestigious awards.
The Laureus Sports Awards announced their latest nominees on Tuesday, and tennis really took centre stage this year. Five tennis players landed spots across different categories, with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner leading the charge as top contenders for World Sportsman of the Year.
These awards are a pretty big deal in the sports world, and tennis stars usually get a lot of love here. Legends like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams have all racked up multiple wins. Other big names, Justine Henin, Naomi Osaka, and Jennifer Capriati, have also claimed trophies in various categories.
This year, Alcaraz and Sinner headline the men’s awards. Both are up for World Sportsman of the Year after smashing through 2025 with two Grand Slam singles titles apiece. Alcaraz grabbed the French Open and US Open, collecting eight ATP titles overall. Sinner wasn’t far behind, winning six titles, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Alcaraz didn’t slow down, either. He kicked off 2026 by winning the Australian Open and just kept rolling.
It’s not just about the men, though. Aryna Sabalenka is in the running for World Sportswoman of the Year after a dominant 2025. She spent the entire year as world No. 1 and picked up her fourth Grand Slam singles title at the US Open, plus three more WTA titles. She’s joined on the shortlist by footballer Aitana Bonmati, athletes Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Faith Kipyegon, and swimmer Katie Ledecky.
Amanda Anisimova’s comeback story also got some well-deserved recognition. She’s up for World Comeback of the Year after an incredible season where she made the finals at both the US Open and Wimbledon, scooped up two WTA 1000 titles, broke into the top 20, and finished the year ranked world No. 4. She’s competing with cyclists Egan Bernal and Simon Yates, golfer Rory McIlroy, athlete Yulimar Rojas, and footballer Leah Williamson.
Joao Fonseca is another name to watch. He’s nominated for World Breakthrough of the Year after jumping from outside the top 140 to inside the top 30, winning two ATP titles, and scoring wins at all four Grand Slams.
The shortlists are stacked this year. You’ve got Ousmane Dembele, Mondo Duplantis, Marc Marquez, and Tadej Pogacar in the men’s field. For the breakthrough award, there’s also footballer Desire Doue, basketball player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, darts prodigy Luke Littler, F1 champ Lando Norris, and swimmer Yu Zidi. The competition looks fierce all around.
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