Australian Open 2025 Preview
After what seems like an ever-shortening off-season, the new tennis year is up and running with the Australian Open, the first of the four calendar year majors, just around the corner. In the men’s game, 2024 finished with Novak Djokovic as the last of the ‘Big Three’ still an active player after the retirement of Rafael Nadal.
It was also the first year since 2002 that one of Djokovic, Nadal, or Roger Federer did not win one of the four majors, with Jannik Sinner (Australian and US Open) and Carlos Alcaraz (French Open and Wimbledon) sharing the four equally.
In the women’s game, Aryna Sabalenka had another wonderful year, bookending her slam season with the Australian and US Opens, while Iga Świątek cruised to her third consecutive French Open, and Barbora Krejčíková claimed the Wimbledon title.
With Jannik Sinner and Iga Świątek embroiled in the fallout of failed doping tests, Andy Murray joining Novak Djokovic’s coaching team, and the potential return of local hero Nick Kyrgios to the slam world after a two-and-a-half year absence it looks set to be another blockbuster start to the tournament affectionately known as the ‘Happy Slam.’
Men’s Singles
Although still mired in a potential ban for testing positive for a banned substance, Jannik Sinner still managed to storm to the US Open title and will start as the favourite for this tournament, given his dominance on hard courts.
His few minor flaws were emphatically ironed out last year, and if he can keep off-court distractions from affecting his game, then he will be tough to beat.
Many expect his main competition to come from Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz, who has already claimed four slam titles by the age of twenty-one and is just missing the Australian Open to complete a career slam at a younger age than any other male player in history.
It must be said, though, that Alcaraz has struggled in extremely hot conditions before, so this could potentially derail him as Melbourne often hits temperatures in excess of 30°C.
Anyone would be a fool to discount 10-time champion Novak Djokovic from the mix. Having hired former rival Andy Murray to coach him for the tournament, he may have renewed vigour to try and topple his rivals and reclaim the trophy that for so long felt like it had his name etched on from day one.
However, having completed his career CV with last year’s Olympic Gold, he may not have the same level of desire and hunger that was so evident in previous years.
Among the other contenders are Alexander Zverev, who seems to have firmly put behind both a horrendous ankle injury and a debilitating issue with clutch serving that caused him to unravel at key times deep into previous slams, and Daniil Medvedev, who has the experience of being a three-time finalist in Melbourne coupled with the boost of becoming a father on the eve of the tournament.
Other players who feel they can go far in the tournament include Stefanos Tsitsipas, who had a 2024 to forget but has the ability to beat anyone on his day, along with the ever-improving Americans Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe.
The British hope comes from Jack Draper, who could go far if he keeps his fitness levels high. Nick Kyrgios will prove an entertaining sideshow, even if it may be too soon to make a deep run in Melbourne, having played his last slam match at the Wimbledon Final in 2022.
Favourite for title: Jannik Sinner
Tip for the title: Daniil Medvedev or Carlos Alcaraz
Dark Horse: Frances Tiafoe
Women’s Singles
From double faulting her way out of contention in most tournaments three years ago to coming into Melbourne as a two-time defending champion just shows the granite resolve that makes Aryna Sabalenka the clear favourite this year.
Overcoming her serving struggles proved to be a catalyst for her success, and now she looks capable of going deep in every slam. She should also have the crowd on her side in most matches, as her personality on and off the court has endeared her to the Melbourne people.
Coco Gauff and Iga Świątek can both lay claim to being the best player to take the crown off Sabalenka. Gauff is on a seven-match winning streak, including defeats of Sabalenka and Świątek to claim last year's WTA Finals title and help the USA win the United Cup earlier this month.
She had her own serving issues at times last year but now seems to have put these behind her, and when playing freely, there are not many better players to watch. Świątek has come through a one-month suspension last year and admitted that it affected her mindset, but she should be able to put that behind her and try to add a sixth slam title to her trophy cabinet.
Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka looks to improve on her patchy 2024 but has not been given a kind draw, facing off against Caroline Garcia, who defeated her in the first-round last year.
She has tremendous talent, but being ranked 50th means she is going to face tough opponents in the early stages of tournaments until she puts a run of wins together in consecutive tournaments.
Other contenders for the title include Elena Rybakina, who had a poor 2024 but can draw on her experience of making the final in 2023 to propel her back to the latter stages, and last year’s finalist, Qinwen Zheng, who has immense talent and will be on a high after a 2024 that brought her the Olympic Gold in singles.
Being from China, she will have massive support in Melbourne and is a joy to watch when in full flow.
Other players who have a chance to upset the odds include Paula Badosa, whose ability deserves much more than a career-best fourth-round appearance in Melbourne.
Maria Sakkari, who has a tenacious game but lacks the consistency that had her in the top five a few years ago, and Mirra Andreeva, who, at seventeen, plays without fear and can go further than last year’s fourth round if the draw is kind to her.
Britain’s Katie Boulter is worth keeping an eye on, having had a great 2024, but Emma Raducanu faces a tough opener against Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Favourite for title: Aryna Sabalenka
Tip for the title: Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff or Qinwen Zheng
Dark Horse: Maria Sakkari