Former six-time Grand Slam doubles champion Rennae Stubbs says the Australian Open is the Major where an upset could happen in 2026 as she thinks that's the place where Novak Djokovic still has a chance of landing another Slam.
All of the Grand Slams that have taken place since 2024 have been won by either Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic, the record 24-time Grand Slam champion, enjoyed multiple deep Major runs this year but saw every of his campaigns end in the semifinal. However, the feeling was that the Serb was the closest to winning the Australian Open since he beat Alcaraz in the quarterfinal before a very unfortunate hamstring injury forced him to retire in the semifinal against Alexander Zverev. In the next three Grand Slams, the former world No. 1 twice lost to Sinner and once to Alcaraz.
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At the Australian Open, Djokovic is a record 10-time champion and has never lost a final at Melbourne Park.
Stubbs: Djokovic is setting his sights at the Australian Open... The only one who can threaten Alcaraz and Sinner in Melbourne
I have one at the Australian Open and I said it over and over. I do think that Novak is setting his sights. I dont think he cared about the ATP Finals, clearly, he didnt play it. I think hes going to put all this time and effort into busting his ass one last time to win down in Australia," former doubles world No. 1 Stubbs said on her podcast.
I think hes the only one who can rock the cherry cart for Jannik and Carlos. Carlos has never made the finals there. Novak crushed him down there last year; one set was really good, but Novak was overall better. So I think Novak goes in there going, I know I can potentially get to a semi-final there, and I know I have maybe one more last grasp.
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Not only has Alcaraz never won the Australian Open, but he has yet to make it past the quarterfinal stage. On the other side, Sinner is coming off back-to-back triumphs at Melbourne Park.
It remains to be seen if Djokovic can turn back the clock in January and lift his 11th Australian Open title.
