📗 The history
The Australian Open has a rich history that dates back more than a century. The first men’s tournament was held in 1905, followed by the first women’s tournament in 1922, both organized by the Lawn Tennis Association of Australasia.
In 1927, the event was renamed the Australian Championships and later became known as the Australian Open in 1969. After being played in various Australian cities, Melbourne was designated as the sole host city in 1972.
Although the tournament faced challenges initially due to its geographic location, the Australian Open’s reputation and popularity started to soar in the 1990s. Director Paul McNamee played a crucial role in elevating the event’s status and making it a prominent fixture in the tennis calendar.
✔️ The details
At the 2024 Australian Open, a total of 256 men’s and women’s singles players, along with 128 doubles pairs, are participating. The competition involves four single-elimination rounds leading up to the quarter-finals starting on January 23rd.
The finals for the women’s and men’s singles will take place on January 27th and 28th respectively.
The tournament’s surface has transitioned from grass to hardcourts since 1988 and has been played on Melbourne Park’s Australian Open True Blue surface since 2008.
The Australian Open boasts a record prize pool of $86.5 million AUD, with the singles champions each pocketing $3.15 million AUD.
💪 Women to watch
Several prominent female players to watch at the 2024 Australian Open include Iga Świątek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Leylah Annie Fernandez, Naomi Osaka, and Caroline Wozniacki.
👊 Men to watch
Key male players to keep an eye on at the 2024 Australian Open include Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Frances Tiafoe, Félix Auger-Aliassime, and Andy Murray.
🎥 How to watch
To catch all the action from the 2024 Australian Open, tune in to ESPN in the U.S. and TSN in Canada. Stay updated with live updates to follow the thrilling matches.
