A 2025 Australian Open preview

The Australian Open has a rich history that dates back over 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, it was renamed the Australian Championships before becoming the Australian Open in 1969. Initially, the tournament was held in various Australian cities before Melbourne became the sole host in 1972.

In its early years, the Australian Open faced challenges due to its geographical location, but it began to flourish in the 1990s. Director Paul McNamee played a key role in elevating the event to the level of the other major Grand Slam tournaments, emphasizing Australia’s unique identity and creating a vibrant atmosphere for players and fans.

Today, the Australian Open is one of the most prestigious tennis events, attracting top players and drawing the largest attendance among all Grand Slam tournaments. It is known as the “Happy Slam” in honor of its festive and lively atmosphere.

The Australian Open is currently underway with 256 combined men’s and women’s singles players and 128 combined doubles pairs competing. The tournament follows a single-elimination format, with the quarter-finals scheduled to begin on January 20th.

The women’s singles finals will take place on January 25th, followed by the men’s singles finals on the 26th. The tournament, which was originally played on grass, has been held on hardcourts since 1988 and specifically on Melbourne Park’s Australian Open True Blue surface since 2008.

In terms of prize money, the total purse for the Australian Open is a record $96.5M Australian dollars (approximately $59.9M USD), with each singles champion receiving $3.5M Australian dollars (about $2.17M USD). The event ensures equal pay for both men’s and women’s singles champions.

🏅 No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka: Aryna Sabalenka, known as The Girl with the Dragon Tiger Tattoo, is aiming for her third consecutive victory at the Australian Open. Having not lost a match at the tournament since 2022 and coming off a successful 2024 season that included winning her first US Open title, she is a formidable competitor on hardcourts.

🇵🇱 No. 2 Iga Świątek: Five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Świątek is looking to move past a doping scandal from last year. Despite facing a one-month suspension for unintentional use of a banned substance, the Polish star remains a strong contender with a resilient spirit.

🇺🇲 No. 3 Coco Gauff: Young talent Coco Gauff has been on a winning streak, securing victories at the China Open and WTA Finals late in 2024. With newfound confidence and a recent coaching shakeup, she is poised to make an impact at the Australian Open.

🇮🇹 No. 4 Jasmine Paolini: Italian player Jasmine Paolini had a remarkable 2024 season, reaching the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon and leading Italy to victory in the Billie Jean King Cup. Her success has put her in the spotlight as a player to watch.

🇨🇦 No. 31 Leylah Fernandez: Canadian standout Leylah Fernandez, known for her skill on hardcourts, is coming off an injury-plagued season but showed promising form by reaching the semifinals of the Hong Kong Tennis Open. Her unpredictable serve and tenacity make her a contender.

🇯🇵 No. 50 Naomi Osaka: Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka is aiming for her third major title at the Australian Open. Despite facing challenges, including a recent abdominal injury, she has shown resilience and determination on the court.