Cash Delivers Brutal Verdict on Men’s Tennis, Questions Djokovic’s Hopes
MELBOURNE, 17 January 2026 – Australian tennis great Pat Cash has launched a dual critique on the eve of the Australian Open, labelling the tour’s dominant duo “unhealthy” for the sport and delivering a sobering assessment of Novak Djokovic’s title chances. The 1987 Wimbledon champion believes the men’s game has become a two-horse race between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, while suggesting the legendary Djokovic faces a near-impossible task in Melbourne.
‘Unhealthy’ Duopoly at the Top
Speaking at the Kooyong Classic, Cash expressed concern over the stranglehold world No. 1 Alcaraz and defending Australian Open champion Sinner have on the ATP Tour. The pair contested multiple Grand Slam finals in 2025 and have shared the last eight major titles between them.
“This is the problem with the men’s tour at the moment,” Cash told 3AW Drive. “It’s a little unhealthy to have a two-horse race.”
The Italian Sinner, aiming for a historic third consecutive Australian Open title, and the Spanish world No. 1 Alcaraz, who is chasing a career Grand Slam, are seeded to meet in the final. The draw has placed them in opposite halves, with Sinner potentially facing 10-time champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
Brutal Reality Check for Djokovic
In a separate interview, Cash provided a stark analysis of 38-year-old Djokovic’s prospects. The Serbian, now ranked world No. 4, withdrew from the Adelaide International earlier this month, citing a need to manage his condition.
“He needs two of them to fall over, that’s the reality of it,” Cash said, referring to the need for both Alcaraz and Sinner to be eliminated. “I don’t see Djokovic beating both men in back-to-back five-set matches.”
Cash highlighted the unique physical challenge Djokovic faces. “It’s a fine balance at the end of your career to find where you are training hard enough to be fit enough to last two, even three, five-set matches, but not pushing it too far,” he explained. The Australian questioned whether Djokovic had played enough matches in the lead-up, noting, “It’s a sort of new field… we don’t really know what a 39-year-old can do over two weeks of playing four- and five-hour tennis matches in heat.”
Key Facts: The 2026 Australian Open Landscape
| Player | 2026 Australian Open Context |
|---|---|
| Carlos Alcaraz (No. 1 Seed) | Chasing a career Grand Slam. Won Roland Garros and US Open in 2025. |
| Jannik Sinner (No. 2 Seed) | Aiming for a third straight Australian Open title. Defeated Alcaraz in the 2025 final. |
| Novak Djokovic (No. 4 Seed) | Ten-time champion. Could meet Sinner in the semi-finals. Withdrew from Adelaide tune-up. |
| Pat Cash’s View | Men’s tour is an “unhealthy” two-horse race; Djokovic needs the top two to “fall over” to win. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Pat Cash say about Novak Djokovic?
Pat Cash said he does not believe the 38-year-old Novak Djokovic can beat both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in back-to-back five-set matches to win the Australian Open. He stated Djokovic would likely need misfortune to strike the top two players and questioned whether the Serbian had played enough matches in his lead-up to the tournament.
Who does Pat Cash think will win the Australian Open?
While not making a direct prediction, Cash’s comments strongly indicate he views the title as a contest solely between the world’s top two players, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. He described the tour as an “unhealthy” two-horse race between them.
When does the 2026 Australian Open start?
The 2026 Australian Open begins on Sunday 18 January at Melbourne Park, with the tournament concluding on Sunday 1 February.