Ten-time champion Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz could meet in a blockbuster Australian Open quarterfinal, while defending champion Jannik Sinner looms on the opposite side of the draw.

That was the major takeaway after the draw was made Thursday in Melbourne ahead of the start of the tournament Jan. 12.

The 37-year-old Djokovic, now being coached by Andy Murray after failing to win a major in 2024, is bidding for a record 25th Grand Slam title. But he may have to beat the top three players in the world to hoist the trophy: No. 3 Alcaraz, No. 2 Alexander Zverev in the semis and No. 1 Sinner in the final. The Serb opens play Sunday against American Nishesh Basavareddy.

“I think it only gets harder the older you get, and with these new guys like Alcaraz, they’re just so good under these conditions now in five sets, it’s going to be harder and harder for Novak,” ESPN’s Rennae Stubbs said on a conference call before the draw was made.

“I wouldn’t be surprised [if Djokovic wins],” she added. “He’s the greatest player of all time. But at the same time, it’s only getting more difficult now, and having not won a tournament except for the Olympics last year, mentally it starts to wear on you a little bit, as well, that you’re not winning anymore. “

Sinner, who won two of the four majors in 2024, could face Australian No. 1 Alex De Minaur in one quarterfinal on the top half of the draw, with American No. 1 Taylor Fritz, the U.S. Open runner-up to Sinner, drawn to face No. 5 seed Daniil Medvedev in another quarterfinal.

Alcaraz, who won the French Open and Wimbledon in 2024 and is seeking the career Grand Slam in Melbourne, could face 24-time major champion Djokovic in the bottom half of the draw. No. 2 Zverev, still seeking his first major title, was drawn to meet No. 6 Casper Ruud.

“I just think Jannik is the favorite by far,” Stubbs said.

Here’s a look at some of the top popcorn matches in the first round:

GAUFF DRAWN TO MEET TWO-TIME CHAMP SABALENKA IN SEMIS

On the women’s side, Coco Gauff was drawn to meet former Australian Open champ Sofia Kenin in the first round and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals.

No. 2 Iga Swiatek looms on the other side of the draw.

No. 1 Sabalenka, the reigning U.S. Open champion, also opens against another former major champ in American Sloane Stephens, a former U.S. Open winner. Sabalenka could face Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinals before potentially meeting Gauff, who is red hot after winning the WTA Finals and the United Cup.

Gauff could face Jessica Pegula, the U.S. Open runner-up and Gauff’s doubles partner, in the quarters.

“Clearly Sabalenka has let everybody know she’s the favorite going in, but also Coco Gauff looks to me as equal as a favorite as I’ve seen in a Grand Slam for a while,” Stubbs said.

On the bottom half of the draw, Swiatek was drawn to face No. 8 Emma Navarro in one quarterfinal, with No. 4 Jasmine Paolini drawn to meet No. 6 Elena Rybakina.

Here are some of the women’s popcorn matches in the first round: