Novak Djokovic and Luke Littler will hit the headlines next week (Image: Getty)
January is one of the best sporting months of the year. The first week sealed Luke Littler as the world darts champion and this weekend brings the FA Cup third round, with several all- ties.
The is also set to get underway over the coming days, with the world’s best players flying into Melbourne in the hope of winning the year’s first Grand Slam.
Express Sport brings you the big stories to look out for next week.
Djokovic and Murray row
will play in a Grand Slam with as his coach for the first time at the . The Serb confirmed the surprise appointment of his former rival in November.
How the dynamic of the two former world No. 1s will work remains to be seen. Under his previous coach, Goran Ivanisevic, Djokovic would angrily bellow complaints at his box. The arguments that ensued were sometimes vicious and passionately fought.
The mild-mannered Murray could be set for some ferocious debates mid-match if Djokovic begins to falter in Melbourne. The 24-time Grand Slam champion’s outbursts have often spurred some of his most memorable performances, so Murray would be well advised not to tame his new client.
and shared the Grand Slams last year. Djokovic will want to ruin their start to the 2025 season in Melbourne.
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will team up at a Grand Slam for the first time (Image: Getty)
Littler brought down to earth
Having become £500,000 richer three days into the new year, there are not many people who have had a better 2025 than Luke Littler. His World Darts Championship triumph made him the youngest world champion and, in the minds of his rivals, the player to beat.
At the Bahrain Masters next week, Luke Humphries will be keen to overcome his shock early exit at Alexandra Palace. Nathan Aspinall will want revenge for his quarter-final defeat against Littler.
Bahrain was Littler’s first senior PDC title a year ago, won in the aftermath of his big splash at the World Championship. His opponents will be desperate to bring him back down to earth after an incredible 12 months.
Luke Littler’s rivals will be desperate to beat him after his World Darts Championship triumph (Image: Getty)
finally win
After a positive performance in their draw with , have two opportunities to win for the first time since December 15 over the next week. Tomorrow, they face in the third round of the FA Cup.
United then host basement side Southampton, who have won six points all season. really needs to be targeting all three points ahead of that clash.