As is customary, the Australian Open will kick-start the new tennis season in the new year.
The 2025 tennis season actually gets underway in 2024 with the United Cup in late December with a number of nations competing in the team event.
The first major of the year then begins a few weeks later with defending champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka the favourites to claim victory again.
Australian Open once again starts on a Sunday, this year beginning on Jan 12, 2025. The final day of the 15-day event is Jan 26.
The qualifying tournament takes place between Jan 6-9.
The women’s final will take place on Saturday, Jan 25 with the men’s final on the following day, Jan 26.
Melbourne Park is the venue for the Australian Open. Rod Laver Arena, named in honour of Australian great Rod Laver, is the main stadium with 15,000 seats.
John Cain Arena, Margaret Court Arena, Court 3, 1573 Arena and the Kia Arena are the other major venues on the grounds.
You can buy tickets for the tournament here.
In the UK, Eurosport has the broadcasting rights to live action from Melbourne.
Tim Henman and Laura Robson are part of the presenting team with expert punditry from the likes of John McEnroe and Mats Wilander.
ESPN has the broadcasting rights to show the tournament.
The main draw will be made on Jan 9.
As it stands yes. But the Italian is waiting for the result of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over his two failed doping tests earlier this year.
The 23-year-old tested positive for clostebol in March but an independent panel found there was “no fault or negligence” attached to the player.
If Wada is successful, Sinner could be banned from tennis for up to two years.
After failing to win a grand slam for the first time since 2017, Djokovic has turned to one of his great rivals, Andy Murray, in a bid to challenge Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Murray is due to help Djokovic during pre-season training and at the Australian Open.
“He knows my game and everything that I have been through very well,” said Djokovic, currently No 7 in the ATP rankings. “He knows the things that are wrong with my game, all of my mistakes.”
There are six British players who have a place in the main draw: Jack Draper, Cameron Norrie, Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu, Jodie Burrage and Sonay Kartal.
Jacob Fearnley, who surged into the top 100 after leaving US college last spring, is currently first alternate and should make it into the main draw through a withdrawal.
Dan Evans, Harriet Dart, Francesca Jones, Heather Watson and Lily Miyazaki are expected to enter the qualifying tournament.
Jannik Sinner won his first grand slam when he fought back from two sets down to beat Daniil Medvedev 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in three hours and 44 minutes.
In the women’s final, Aryna Sabalenka was too strong China’s Qinwen Zheng, winning 6-3 6-2 to warn her second Australian Open title.
To win the men’s title
Jannik Sinner 2/1
Carlos Alcaraz 5/2
Novak Djokovic 4/1
Alexander Zverev 10/1
To win the women’s title
Aryna Sabalenka 5/2
Iga Swiatek 9/2
Coco Gauff 11/2
Qinwen Zheng 10/1
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