Novak Djokovic embarked on his latest quest to win a record 25th Grand Slam by easing to an ominous straight-sets victory Monday at the Australian Open.

Carlos Alcaraz kicked off his latest bid for a career Grand Slam by dismantling unseeded Australian Adam Walton 6-3 7-6(2) 6-2 in the first round of the Australian Open on Sunday, as the world number one showcased the power and precision befitting a player chasing history.

Novak Djokovic said Saturday he likes his chances at the Australian Open despite "missing a bit of juice" in the legs, declaring he can still beat anyone on his day.

Carlos Alcaraz beat great rival Jannik Sinner in a light-hearted sell-out exhibition match in South Korea on Saturday ahead of the Australian Open.

World number three Alexander Zverev admitted on Saturday that he has "a lot of catching up to do" to challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

The world number seven is yet to beat either player and admits he has to find new weapons to challenge the Spaniard and Italian who have shared the last eight Grand Slam titles.

With six Grand Slam titles under his belt to Sinner's four, Alcaraz will look to eclipse Nadal and become the youngest man to complete the set of all majors when he heads Down Under in the New Year.

Men's tennis world number one Carlos Alcaraz announced on Wednesday he is splitting from his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero after seven hugely successful years together with assistant coach Samuel Lopez taking over.

Italy claimed a third Davis Cup in as many years on Sunday after beating Spain 2-0 in front of delighted home fans in Bologna.

World number one Carlos Alcaraz said on Tuesday he has pulled out of the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna due to a swollen hamstring, adding he was "heartbroken" to miss out.

Sinner collapsed to the ground with a mixture of joy and relief after sealing his triumph at the season-ending tournament where he hasn't lost a match since being beaten in the 2023 final by Novak Djokovic.

Alcaraz has won four of his five meetings with Sinner this season, all of which have been in finals of top-level tournaments -- with two deciding Grand Slams.

The five-time Grand Slam champion made it two wins from two in the Jimmy Connors Group with a comeback 6-7 (2/7), 7-5, 6-3 victory over last year's runner-up Fritz in Turin.

Novak Djokovic won the 101st title of his career when he came from behind to beat Lorenzo Musetti 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the final of the ATP event in Athens on Saturday.

Novak Djokovic will take on Carlos Alcaraz in the group stage of the upcoming ATP Finals while Jannik Sinner could face a derby with Lorenzo Musetti during his title defence at the season-ending tournament.

The six-time Grand Slam champion has failed to win the Paris Masters in five attempts and now faces losing his place atop the rankings should rival Jannik Sinner win the tournament.

Jannik Sinner said Tuesday that he had come to terms with finishing the season behind rival Carlos Alcaraz in the rankings.

Alexander Zverev on Saturday accused tennis authorities of favouring top-ranked rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in their choice of court surfaces, echoing criticisms made by Roger Federer.

Carlos Alcaraz battled back to beat Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Monday in Tokyo and reach his 10th final of a spectacular season, emulating fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal.

Novak Djokovic will return to action in Shanghai next month in his first tournament since his US Open semifinal defeat by Carlos Alcaraz, organisers of the Masters tournament said.