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. Credit: AP/Manu Fernandez

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.

Meanwhile, Nick Kyrgios is facing a race against time to be fit for the Australian Open after picking up an abdominal injury. He was due to face Djokovic in an exhibition match this week but was forced to withdraw as a result of the setback.

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.

British No.1 Jack Draper, who reached the US Open semi-final, opens this campaign against Argentine world No.46 Mariano Navone. Cam Norrie faces former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini. The 10-time champion Djokovic is in the same section of the draw as Carlos Alcaraz with the two Olympic finalists scheduled to meet in the last eight.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will begin his title defence at the Australian Open with a first-round match against Chile’s Nicolas Jarry, as per the draw ceremony held in Melbourne on Thursday.

Novak Djokovic launches his latest bid for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title against US wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy.

World number one Jannik Sinner was drawn Thursday against big-hitting Nicolas Jarry to start his Australian Open defence while Novak Djokovic is on a collision course to meet Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals.

The reigning men's champion Jannik Sinner will get his defence underway against Nicolas Jarry, while two-time women's champ Aryna Sabalenka will take on former US Open champion Sl