Tennis
Djokovic: “Alkarath always pushes me to my limits”
Novak Djokovic mentioned Carlos Alcarath ahead of his return to the US Open after a two-year hiatus, stressing that he’s pushed to his limits every time he faces him.
Novak Djokovic returns to the US Open facilities after two years. The world No. 2, who recently expressed his desire to face Carlos Alcarath in the final of the event, stressed at the press conference that every time he faces him, he is pushed to the limit.
“He always pushes me to my limits. I think I’ll do the same to him. That’s why we gave an unforgettable finale in Cincinnati. It was one of the best, most exciting and hardest games I’ve ever played. That’s why I fell.” Right after that, I fell to the ground. I felt like I had won a Grand Slam. It was very exhausting physically and mentally and I was exhausted for the next few days.
First of all, I’m happy to be back in New York and at Arthur Ashe, Because it’s the biggest arena we have in our sport, the biggest court and for sure the most fun, exciting and thrilling atmosphere there is in tennis, playing at Arthur Ashe at night without a doubt. I’m really looking forward to playing opening night on Monday. I will come back and play in front of the loudest crowd we have in the sport.
I’m really, really looking forward to it. It’s been two years since I last played here and I lost to Medvedev in the final, making me four Slams in one year. I didn’t perform well that day.
But what I felt from the crowd, that kind of connection, love and support they gave me throughout the race and at the closing ceremony, that’s something that I still hold in my heart and that vibrates to that night always feel.”
Source: sport 24
10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic (Serbia, ATP 4) reached the second round of the major.
Serbs in the first round Pedro Martínez (Spain, ATP 71) within 2 hours.
Australian Open 2026. 1/64 finals
Pedro Martinez (Spain) – Novak Djokovic (Serbia) [4] – 3:6, 2:6, 2:6
Djokovic played his first head-to-head match against Pedro.
Novak won his 100th Australian Open victory. Novak became the second player with over 100 wins in men’s singles matches at the Australian Open, after Roger Federer (102).
Djokovic also became the first tennis player to reach this mark in three different Grand Slam tournaments (101 – Roland Garros, 102 – Wimbledon). Novak has 95 wins at the US Open.
Djokovic is playing the 81st major of his career and is on a par with Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez in this indicator.
Novak’s next opponent will be Francesco Maestrelli (Italy, ATP 141) in the qualifiers.
Video review of the match
Photo gallery of the match
infographics
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
37-year-old Croatian tennis player Marin Cilic (ATP 70) Made a successful start to the 2026 Australian Open.
In the first round, Croatia beat the German representative in three sets Daniel Altmaier (ATP 44) In 2 hours and 1 minute, he caused the opponent team to lose two balls in the first two matches.
Australian Open 2026. 1/64 finals
Daniel Altmaier (Germany) – Marin Cilic (Croatia) – 0:6, 0:6, 6:7 (3:7)
Cilic played his first head-to-head match against Altmaier.
Cilic became the first unseeded player since Philipp Petzschner at the 2012 Australian Open to win the first two sets of a match at a Grand Slam, 6-0.
It’s funny that Altmaier was red-capped three times in a row and lost 25 games in total. Before the Australian Open 2026, Daniel played in competitions in Adelaide and lost to Jauma Munyar 3:6, 0:6 in the first round, but was ahead with a score of 3:0.
Cilic will play against 21st-seeded Denis Shapovalov (Canada, ATP 23) in the second round of the major tournament in Melbourne.
Video review of the match
Photo gallery of the match
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
Tennis
Swiatek begins his journey to win his first Australian Open trophy with a hard-fought victory
January 19 Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek He made a successful start to the 2026 Australian Open.
In the first round, the Polish woman defeated the Chinese representative in two sets Yuan Yue (WTA 130) in 1 hour 57 minutes.
Australian Open 2026. 1/64 finals
Yuan Yue (China) [Q] – Iga Swiatek (Poland) [2] – 6:7 (5:7), 3:6
Returning with a score of 3:5 in the first game, Iga did not allow his opponent to serve for the set in the 10th game.
Swiatek played against Yuan Yue for the second time. At the end of September 2025, Iga defeated the Chinese woman in the second round of competition in Beijing.
Iga has yet to win the Australian Open trophy. Her next opponent will be Czech Maria Bouzkova (Czech Republic, WTA 44).
Swiatek became the first tennis player since Carolina Pliskova (25 consecutive wins from Wimbledon 2016 to Australian Open 2023) to win 25 or more consecutive opening matches in women’s singles Grand Slam tournaments.
Video review of the match
Photo gallery of the match
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
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