The first Grand Slam of the year takes place in Melbourne at the Australian Open as Yannick Siner and Aryna Sabalenka look to defend their titles.
The season opener starts just 12 days into the new year, but there are a number of questions surrounding the fitness of Emma Radukanu and Jack Draper, while Andy Murray is back in Melbourne, but this time in record holder Novak’s corner.
It top players Worldwide, the tournament automatically enters the main draw, where 104 ranked players enter the singles draw directly, along with eight runners-up and 16 qualifiers.
When is the 2025 Australian Open?
The Australian Open 2025 qualifying round started on January 6.
The main tournament (singles) starts on January 12, the women’s final on January 25, and the men’s final on January 26.
Where is Australian Open 2025 being held?
Rod Laver Arena has a capacity of 15,000
The Australian Open is held at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, home of the Grand Slam tournament since 1988.
Melbourne Park has three show courts: Rod Laver Arena (the second largest indoor sports venue in Australia with a capacity of 15,000), as well as John Kane Arena (capacity: 10,500) and Margaret Court Arena (capacity: 7,500).
When is the Australian Open draw?
The Australian Open singles draw will take place on Thursday 9 January at 2.30pm UK time.
Australian Open match schedule
The tournament takes place daily from midnight UK time on the outdoor courts and 1am on the show courts. Night sessions for UK viewers will start at 8am.
January 12-14. First round (women and men)
January 15-16. Second round (women and men)
January 17-18. Third round (women and men)
January 19-20. Fourth round (women and men)
January 21-22. Quarter Finals (Women and Men)
January 23 Women’s semi-finals
January 24 Men’s semi-finals
January 25 Women’s Final (8.30am UK time)
January 26 Men’s Final (8.30am UK time)
The Australian Open schedule also includes:
- Men’s and Women’s Doubles: January 14-26
- Mixed Doubles: January 16-25
- Wheelchair events: January 21-25
- Youth events: January 18-27
The best Australian Open players
Aryna Sabalenka poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Trophy after winning the 2024 Australian Open for the second consecutive year.
Women’s singles
1. Arina Sabalenka
2. Iga Sviatek (POL)
3. Coco Gauff (USA)
4. Jasmine Paolini (ITA)
5. Qinwen Zheng (CHN)
Men’s singles
1. Jannik Sinner (ITA)
2. Alexander Zverev (GER)
3. Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)
4. Taylor Fritz (USA)
5. Daniil Medvedev
Which British players are in the Australian Open 2025?
Emma Radukanu will be hoping to regain full fitness ahead of the Australian Open
The women’s singles feature four British players in the main draw.
Kathy Boulter Moves to Melbourne this year after her best season to date, winning two WTA titles (San Diego and Nottingham) and another final in Hong Kong.
Emma Raducanu has reached the second round in each of the last three seasons and hopes to go further in 2025.
He was forced to pull out of the ASB Classic in Auckland last week with a back problem, but will be hoping to be fit for the Grand Slam after hiring renowned fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura to help end his many fitness problems in 2021 After winning the US Open.
Sonai Kartal first time in the main draw Jody Burrage is in a protected rating.
Jack Draper is on a high, but can he recover from a hamstring injury in time to play in the first Grand Slam of 2025?
British No. 1 Jack Draper will lead the men’s singles rankings after reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open and has risen to a career-high world No. 15.
Draper comes into this year having missed the United Cup team event in Sydney with a hamstring injury and will be playing competitively for the first time since losing the Paris Masters in late October.
Cameron Norrie and rising star Jacob Farnley both have direct access to the main draw.
Andy Murray coaches Novak Djokovic in Melbourne.
Novak Djokovic and his new coach Andy Murray train at Melbourne Park
In case you haven’t heard the news, Djokovic announced the surprise appointment of longtime rival and good friend Andy Murray to his coaching staff in late November.
Two-time Wimbledon champion British Murray ended his playing career after the Paris-2024 Olympic Games in August.
But the 37-year-old decided to take on his first coaching role in Djokovic’s team following a blockbuster tie with the Serbian aiming for a record 11th Australian Open title and a historic 25th Grand Slam crown.Will Murray’s presence be enough for Djokovic? for the motivation of fame.
What is the prize money for the Australian Open?
Jannik Sinner holds aloft the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after winning last year’s Australian Open.
Total prize money at the Australian Open has increased by 11.56 per cent year-on-year, with singles winners of this year’s tournament taking home a check for A$3.5m (around £1.74m).
Full distribution of prize money for 2025.
Champion: $3,500,000
Second place: $1,900,000
Semi-Finalists: $1,100,000
Quarter Finalists: A$665,000
Fourth round: $420,000
Third round: $290,000
Second round: A$200,000
First round: A$132,000
Qualification:
Third round: $72,000
Second round: $49,000
First round: $35,000
Key stats at Melbourne Park
Novak Djokovic will aim for historic 25th Grand Slam title in Melbourne
3 – Aryna Sabalenka will attempt to win a third consecutive women’s singles title at Melbourne Park, a feat last accomplished by Martina Hingis between 1997 and 1999.
24 – The number of Grand Slam singles championships won by Novak Djokovic is tied with Margaret Court for the most in tennis history.One more will tie Djokovic for the record.
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into it Sky TVstreaming service NOW! and: The Sky Sports appthis year giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport at no extra cost. Learn more here.
