Jannik Sinner will launch his Australian Open title defence under a stubborn doping cloud but the whiff of scandal may do little to halt the Italian juggernaut. Sinner remains the man to beat at Melbourne Park even as doping officials seek a two-year ban for the world number one for failing two drugs tests last March.

Novak Djokovic has claimed that he was ‘poisoned’ by the food that he consumed at a Melbourne hotel during his detention ahead of his deportation from Australia in 2022. The tennis star said his body had ‘high level of lead and mercury’ after eating at the hotel.

Nishesh Basavareddy will take on the legendary Novak Djokovic in the first round of his inaugural Australian Open - and the challenge has him pretty excited.

Novak Djokovic's former rival-turned-coach Andy Murray does not want the Serbian to suppress his emotions on court and is even willing to be the target of any angry outbursts as long as the 24-times major winner gives his all at the Australian Open.