FILE - Italy’s Jannik Sinner returns the ball to Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor during the Davis Cup final tennis match between Netherlands and Italy at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File)

The draws for the Australian Open have been announced as Novak Djokovic could potentially face Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner and 10-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic have landed in opposite sides of the draw for the season’s first major, ruling out a replay of last year’s semifinal encounter.

Novak Djokovic said he still feels “a bit of trauma” when he travels to Australia, stemming from his deportation in 2022 because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Novak Djokovic is targeting an 11th Australian Open title and record 25th Grand Slam crown but faces an uphill battle against Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner and 10-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic have landed in opposite sides of the draw for the season's first major, with Carlos Alcaraz in the same quarter as Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia (L) and coach Andy Murray look on during a training session ahead of the ... [+] Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 7, 2025. (Photo

Jannik Sinner's game is built to wear down opponents over five sets, which will help him against Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, according to coach Mark Petchey.

Novak Djokovic and new coach Andy Murray have been seen practising together for the first time ahead of the start of the Australian Open on Sunday.

Tennis expert and respected coach Mark Petchey believes Jannik Sinner has one “huge” advantage over Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. Sinner is the defending champion at the season-opening Grand Slam and he will also start the tournament as the world No 1 and top seed.