Known as the Happy Slam, the Australian Open is the year’s first major and—despite a few early warm-up events—truly kicks off the season for most tennis fans. Yesterday saw a new opening ceremony for the tournament, featuring six-time champion Roger Federer teaming up with Andre Agassi in doubles against local favorites Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt.
But today the real competition begins, with one question on everyone’s mind: How will Carlos Alcaraz respond after parting ways with longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who guided him to the top of the sport? A win here would make Alcaraz the youngest player in the Open Era to complete a career Grand Slam. While anything can happen over two weeks, the draw appears favorable for him, with Alexander Bublik and Alex De Minaur likely posing the biggest threats.
Defending champion Jannik Sinner, however, might have other plans. His path also looks manageable, though he could face rising Brazilian star Joao Fonseca in the third round and American Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals.
As always, Novak Djokovic enters as the unpredictable wildcard—capable of beating anyone on his day, yet also vulnerable to an upset if he’s not at his best.
First-round matches worth watching include Gregor Dimitrov vs. the in-form Tomas Machac, Matteo Berrettini vs. Alex De Minaur, and Alexander Zverev, who will need to be wary of Canadian Gabriel Diallo.
On the women’s side, this tournament—like many recent majors—seems to be world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka’s to lose. She narrowly missed the title last year in a thrilling final against Madison Keys, and once again the draw favors her, provided she can get past players like Jasmine Paolini and the recently strong Marta Kostyuk.
Coco Gauff’s section of the draw sets up a potential dream quarterfinal against Mirra Andreeva. Both have a relatively smooth path to that matchup, and while it may be an overstatement to say the winner could signal not only the Australian Open champion but the future of women’s tennis, there’s some truth to it. (Meanwhile, the other top Americans—Amanda Anisimova, Madison Keys, and Jessie Pegula—are all packed into the same quarter, so it will be interesting to see who emerges from that battle.)
The final section features two Grand Slam champions, Iga Świątek and Elena Rybakina. Neither has been in peak form lately, with Świątek especially seeking a reset. But like Alcaraz, she is chasing a career Grand Slam here, which could provide extra motivation. Naomi Osaka, meanwhile, has been recovering from a respiratory virus, so her performance will depend on how well she has bounced back.
Venus Williams is also one to watch: if she and Coco Gauff win their opening matches, they will face each other in the second round in what could be Venus’s farewell appearance in Melbourne. Other rising players to keep an eye on include Iva Jovic and Victoria Mboko on the women’s side, and Learner Tien on the men’s. Any of these young talents—along with Joao Fonseca—could be on the verge of a breakout season.
Enjoy the tennis!
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the Australian Open designed to be helpful for both new and seasoned tennis fans
Beginner General Information
Q When and where is the Australian Open held
A Its held annually over two weeks in midtolate January at Melbourne Park in Melbourne Australia
Q Why is it called a Grand Slam
A Its one of the four most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world Winning one is the highest achievement in the sport
Q Whats special about the Australian Opens courts
A Its played on hard courts specifically a surface called GreenSet The tournament is also famous for its retractable roofs on major courts allowing play to continue in extreme heat or rain
Q What time zone is it in and how can I watch it
A Melbourne is on Australian Eastern Daylight Time which is typically 16 hours ahead of US Eastern Time Check local sports networks like ESPN the Tennis Channel or streaming services like ESPN for broadcast details in your region
Players Storylines to Watch
Q Who are the defending champions
A For 2024 the defending champions are Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka
Q Which top players should I keep an eye on this year
A Men Watch Novak Djokovic Carlos Alcaraz and home favorite Alex de Minaur Women Look for Iga witek Coco Gauff and defending champ Aryna Sabalenka
Q Are there any notable players returning from injury or making a comeback
A Yes players like Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka are drawing major attention and could make deep runs
Q Who are some exciting dark horse players
A Keep an eye on players like Jannik Sinner and Qinwen Zhengthey have the talent to beat anyone on a good day and are poised for a breakthrough