The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, has once again brought the tennis world to Melbourne.
With top players from across the globe competing for glory, this year’s tournament promises high-stakes action, incredible moments, and unforgettable stories.
Key Dates for the Tournament
The main round of the Australian Open 2025 kicks off on Sunday, January 12, following six days of intense qualifying matches. The finals are scheduled as follows:
- Men’s Singles Final: Sunday, January 26, at 7:30 PM (08:30 GMT)
- Women’s Singles Final: Saturday, January 25, at 7:30 PM (08:30 GMT)
- Doubles and Mixed Doubles Finals: Held across January 25 and 26.
Venue and Courts
The tournament takes place at the iconic Melbourne Park on its signature blue hard courts. The three main courts—Rod Laver Arena (15,000 capacity), John Cain Arena (10,500), and Margaret Court Arena (7,500)—provide the perfect backdrop for tennis at its finest.
Tournament Format and Draw
As with all Grand Slams, the top 32 players in the ATP and WTA rankings are seeded, ensuring that they avoid clashing in the early rounds. Other spots in the main draw are filled through qualifying matches or wild card entries, often granted to local talents or past champions.
Defending Champions
The reigning champions returning to defend their titles are:
- Men’s Singles: Jannik Sinner (Italy)
- Women’s Singles: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus)
- Men’s Doubles: Rohan Bopanna (India) and Mathew Ebden (Australia)
- Women’s Doubles: Hsieh Su-wei (Taiwan) and Elise Mertens (Belgium)
- Mixed Doubles: Hsieh Su-wei (Taiwan) and Jan Zieliński (Poland)
Players to Watch
Men’s Singles
- Novak Djokovic: The Serb seeks his 25th Grand Slam title and his 100th career win, aiming to further solidify his legacy. Now coached by Andy Murray, Djokovic remains a formidable force in Melbourne.
- Jannik Sinner: Last year’s champion, Sinner is looking to replicate his incredible 2024 form, which saw him claim eight titles and dominate the ATP rankings.
- Carlos Alcaraz: Already a four-time Grand Slam winner at just 21, Alcaraz aims to achieve his first Australian Open title and complete a career Grand Slam.
Women’s Singles
- Aryna Sabalenka: Gunning for her third consecutive Australian Open title, Sabalenka is in superb form and eager to make history as the first woman to achieve this feat since Martina Hingis in 1999.
- Iga Swiatek: The five-time Grand Slam champion has yet to shine in Melbourne but remains a top contender with her impeccable record in Grand Slam finals.
- Coco Gauff: Fresh off major victories, including the WTA Tour Finals, Gauff is poised for her second Grand Slam title.
Prize Money Breakdown
This year’s total prize pool is an impressive $59.8 million, marking a 12% increase from 2024. The singles champions will each take home $2.16 million, while runners-up receive $1.17 million. Semifinalists and quarterfinalists will earn $680,000 and $412,242, respectively.
How to Watch the Action
Fans worldwide can catch all the live action through various broadcasters:
- North America: ESPN, TSN, RDS, Tennis Channel
- Europe: Eurosport, SRG SSR
- Asia-Pacific & Oceania: ESPN, Tennis Channel, beIN Sports, Nine, Stan Sport
- Middle East & Africa: beIN Sports, SuperSport
- India & Subcontinent: Sony Sports Network
The Australian Open 2025 promises a thrilling start to the tennis season. With top talent competing for prestigious titles and record-breaking moments on the horizon, Melbourne is the place to be this January. Don’t miss a moment of the action as tennis’s brightest stars battle it out under the Australian summer sun.
2025 Australian Open: Men Single's Prize Money Breakdown and Top Favorites to Win.
video by RealTennis
