January 19 marks the start of the first Grand Slam of the season: the Australian Open, a tournament that kicks off a year full of action and competition in the world of tennis.
The event is held at the iconic Melbourne Park, home of the Open since 1988. This complex has three main courts: the Rod Laver Arena, the second largest indoor stadium in Australia with capacity for 15,000 people; the John Cain Arena, with space for 10,500 spectators; and the Margaret Court Arena, which hosts up to 7,500 fans.
Italy's Jannik Sinner, the current men's champion, will seek to defend his title, as will Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka, who will try to win her third consecutive trophy in the women's category. An important challenge, as the tournament will be held without one of its greatest exponents in recent years, Rafael Nadal.
Sabalenka has a chance to make history by matching a feat achieved by Martina Hingis, who won three consecutive women's singles titles in Melbourne between 1997 and 1999.
Calendar
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: Quarterfinals (Women and Men)
January 23: Women's semifinals
January 24: Men's semifinals
January 25: Women's Final
January 26: Men's Final
Best players
Women
- Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus)
- Iga Swiatek (Poland)
- Coco Gauff (U.S.A.)
- Jasmine Paolini (Italy)
- Qinwen Zheng (China)
Men
- Jannik Sinner (Italy)
- Alexander Zverev (Germany)
- Carlos Alcaraz (Spain)
- Taylor Fritz (USA)
- Daniil Medvedev (Russia)
Happy Slam energy hits different 🌞 🎾 😎 #AO2025 TICKETS 👉 https://t.co/sJT3vuLy4k pic.twitter.com/3lpV7NCwgH
- #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) October 10, 2024
Novak Djokovic and the Record Challenge
Although Novak Djokovic is not among the top five seeds for the tournament, the Serb remains a formidable contender in search of another Grand Slam. In a surprising twist, Djokovic has announced that his rival and good friend Andy Murray, a two-time Wimbledon champion, will join his team as a coach.
Murray, who ended his professional career after the Paris 2024 Olympics, will begin his new role as Djokovic's mentor, aiming to help him extend his impressive record of 11 Australian Open titles and reach his historic 25th Grand Slam crown.
Novak Djokovic is currently tied with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam titles by any person in tennis history. One more will give Djokovic sole possession of the record.
Forecasts
The favorite to win the tournament in the men's division is Italian Jannik Sinner at +155, followed by Carlos Alcaraz at +315 and Novak Djokovic at +412.
In the women's category the favorite is Aryna Sabalenka with odds of +190 followed by Iga Swiatek with +450 and in third place Coco Gauff with odds of +400.
Remember that lines are dynamic and constantly changing.
With great champions, new challenges and history still being written, the Australian Open is the place where tennis comes alive.