The Tennis Gazette’s writers have answered six burning questions to come out of the Australian Open – and there some bold predictions.

Will Novak Djokovic ever play another Australian Open?

George Patten: The idea that we’ve seen the last of Novak Djokovic at Melbourne Park is pretty hard to believe. A ten-time champion, and back-to-back semi-finalist at the event, the Serb is still one of the best alive, and can still compete at the very highest level on Rod Laver Arena. The likelihood is that he’ll be back next year, and when he does return, he’ll be one of the favorites to lift the trophy.

Matthew Johns: It was a sad ending to the Australian Open for Djokovic, who would probably have reached the final had he not been injured. Djokovic suggested that it could have been his last appearance at the Australian Open, but I’m still not sure that is likely. He will not want to bow out of the tournament that he has won more than anyone else in that way, and if fit could still contend for the title next year!

Lee Clarke: Of course he will! Naturally, he was actually injured at this event – despite what John McEnroe said – but he’s going to continue playing beyond this season.

Peter Lynch: He may be 37, and indeed struggling with injury, but yes I still think there is one final Djokovic and Melbourne love affair on the cards.

Will Alexander Zverev ever win a Grand Slam title?

George Patten: Alexander Zverev just can’t seem to get it done at the Major tournaments. He is undoubtedly one of the best players on the planet, but there’s just something missing for the German. If he’s going to finally get the job done, you have to feel as though 2025 may be the year to do it, however, with Djokovic injured, and Jannik Sinner potentially set for a spell on the sidelines.

Matthew Johns: The Australian Open final defeat for Zverev was completely different to his other Grand Slam final losses; he was completely outplayed by Jannik Sinner. That being said, it doesn’t mean that Zverev’s chances are over as he will be a big contender at Roland Garros. However, it just depends on how much mental baggage he has picked up from losing three consecutive major finals and whether he can overcome the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Sinner.

Lee Clarke: Cards on the table. Probably not. His game is far too reliant on the powerful serve and the worrying aspect of the recent final against Sinner is that he wasn’t even competitive. I’m not sure at this stage that Zverev truly believes he’s good enough to win one.

Peter Lynch: Simple answer, no. Three finals have now been and gone, and I think with the next generation of future stars coming through, he has missed his chance.

How many Grand Slam titles will Madison Keys win over her career?

George Patten: Madison Keys’ triumph at the Australian Open was one of the sport’s feel-good moments, as the world of tennis celebrated her remarkable victory. Becoming a two-time Slam winner in women’s tennis has proved a tough ask, however, and with the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff reaching the peak of their powers, it wouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to see Keys finish her career with just the one.

Matthew Johns: It was great to see Keys finally get her hands on a Grand Slam title, and what a way to do it by beating the world number one and two in back-to-back matches! While it does feel like this was the pinnacle for Keys and may be the only Grand Slam she wins, the American will be an even bigger threat now she is back inside the top 10 – particularly when it comes to the US Open.

Lee Clarke: I think she’s got the game to win another but it will either be another Australian Open or the US Open. Her best results have come on the hard courts and given how competitive the women’s game has become, I do reckon she wins one more.

Peter Lynch: Keys shocked the tennis world with her phenomenal Australian Open victory, which has remarkably come eight years after her first Grand Slam final at the 2017 US Open. She now has one win and one loss on the biggest stage of them all, and I think she can emerge victorious one more time.

Can Jannik Sinner reach Djokovic/Federer/Nadal numbers?

George Patten: Three times a Major winner at just 23 years of age, it’s not surprising to see Sinner compared with some of the sport’s greatest ever players. Such comparisons may be slightly premature, however, as while Sinner has looked to be the best player in the world for 12 months or so, to be the best for 10 or 15 years is a much tougher ask. He certainly has the potential to win Slams for years to come, but only time will tell if he can reach 20+ Major titles.

Matthew Johns: Sinner is by far the best player in the world at the moment, and seems almost unbeatable on hard courts. However, he is still yet to completely conquer clay and grass yet and will need to do that to be anywhere near the conversation with the big three. There is also the added element of the WADA appeal hanging over Sinner, which could even mean that he misses both Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year.

Lee Clarke: Those three were superhuman and pushed each other every single tournament. I do think Alcaraz and Sinner will reach stupid numbers but a lot can happen in professional sport so I do think any talk of that is somewhat premature just yet.

Peter Lynch: Sinner already has three Grand Slam titles aged 23, and he doesn’t look like slowing down anytime soon. But the Big Three really was a golden era of men’s tennis, and I think Sinner won’t quite be able to replicate their legendary figures.

Where will Joao Fonseca reach in rankings by end of 2025?

George Patten: Joao Fonseca was arguably the story of the first week of this year’s Australian Open, as he shocked Andrey Rublev in straight sets to secure his first Grand Slam main draw win. Fans quickly pushed him into comparisons with Sinner and Alcaraz, suggesting the Brazilian is set to reach the top of men’s tennis. By the end of 2025, it’s very possible that Fonseca will be seeded for Grand Slams, ranked just inside the world’s top 30.

Matthew Johns: Fonseca produced a sensational performance against Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open, and I expect to see many more of these in months to come. However, he did go onto lose in the next round, showing that despite the hype these things do take time for young players to adapt to the senior tour. While it may not be a particularly bold prediction, I expect Fonseca to be at a career-high of around 40 in the world at the end of the 2025 season.

Lee Clarke: The challenge for Fonseca is just to keep playing on the main tour and getting a feel for things. I reckon he will be at least in the top 50 in 12 months time.

Peter Lynch: The 19-year-old has already enjoyed a rapid rise and now finds himself in the top 100, and I think his climb will continue throughout 2025, just breaking the top 50 by the end of the year.

How many titles will Iga Swiatek win outside of the French Open?

George Patten: Iga Swiatek is undoubtedly one of the best players on the WTA Tour, having won five Grand Slam titles at just 23 years of age. Four of those have come at the French Open, however, as she has dominated on the clay in recent years. Away from the red stuff, she has struggled ever so slightly, picking up just the one Major, at the 2022 US Open. Over her career, it’s tough to say how many titles she’ll win away from Roland Garros, but on current form, three sounds like a strong number.

Matthew Johns: Swiatek is such a dominant force at Roland Garros and will probably be the favourite for years to come to keep winning the clay-court major. However, things have been a little more sparse outside of France, having only won the US Open back in 2022. Swiatek did look very impressive until the semi-final in Melbourne this year, and was one point away from beating the eventual champion in Keys! I think Swiatek will win at least one Australian Open and another US Open in her career, but Wimbledon could be the obstacle that prevents her from achieving the Career Slam.

Lee Clarke: Well she’s only won one away from the clay and that is a concern to a certain degree. I do reckon she will claim at least five on other surfaces though and at this year’s Australian Open she merely came up against an in-form Keys.

Peter Lynch: Swiatek is a force to behold on clay, but she is no stranger to hard court success, and I think she is capable of winning five Grand Slam titles outside of the French Open, particularly given she is just 23 years old.

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