Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have dominated the tennis scene, winning all major titles in the last two years. The duo is expected to be the top contenders for the upcoming Australian Open title, with Sinner being the defending champion after winning the 2025 Australian Open.

Former ATP star Andy Roddick has highlighted a potential challenge that both players may face in their bid to win the title. According to Roddick, harsh weather conditions, particularly the heat, could pose a significant threat to their success. He noted that Sinner has struggled with heat-related issues in the past, including cramps during matches in Cincinnati and Shanghai. Similarly, Alcaraz has also experienced full-body cramps during the French Open.

Roddick believes that the weather conditions could be the single biggest factor affecting their performance, rather than their opponents. He emphasized that if they have to play in extreme heat, it could be a major challenge for both players.

Another former tennis star, Mike Petchey, has identified Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime as a potential player who could give Alcaraz and Sinner a run for their money. Petchey cited Auger-Aliassime’s increased maturity and impressive skills as the reasons behind his choice. The Canadian player has shown significant improvement in recent months, reaching the semifinals of the ATP Finals and the US Open. Although he lost to Alcaraz and Sinner in those tournaments, Petchey believes that Auger-Aliassime has the potential to push the top two players to their limits.

The upcoming Australian Open is expected to be a highly competitive tournament, with Alcaraz and Sinner being the favorites to win. However, with the potential challenges posed by the weather and the emergence of players like Auger-Aliassime, the tournament is likely to be exciting and unpredictable. As the tennis world gears up for the first Grand Slam of the year, all eyes will be on Melbourne to see how these top players perform under pressure.