2025 Australian Open: Preview of top contenders and storylines
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- 2025 Australian Open set to begin in Melbourne
- Defending champions Sabalenka and Sinner among favorites
- Djokovic, Alcaraz, Gauff, and Swiatek also top contenders
- Osaka making a comeback after difficult 2024 season
- Article provides overview of top contenders and storylines
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- Sabalenka is looking to become the first woman to win three straight at the Australian Open since Martina Hingis did so in 1997, 1998 and 1999.
- Sinner ended 2024 with the title at the ATP Finals, and as the hero of the championship-winning Italian team at the Davis Cup.
- Despite facing questions and additional attention regarding his failed drug tests and the appeal from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) about his lack of suspension, Sinner has proven he can block out the outside noise while on the court.
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- Djokovic arrived in Melbourne last year with high expectations to break Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles
- However, his dreams were dashed following a semifinal loss to Sinner, and the rest of the season didn't go to plan either
- Despite winning Olympic gold in Paris, Djokovic admitted it was becoming an increasing challenge to remain motivated on court, especially following the retirement of his "greatest rival" Nadal, in addition to Federer and Andy Murray previously
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- Djokovic suffered a shocking defeat in the quarterfinals of Brisbane International by Reilly Opelka, but his lackluster 2024 season and opening result have not derailed the excitement about his 2025 Australian Open campaign.
- He brought along his new coach, Andy Murray, who will officially be his coach at the Australian Open. The pair were spotted practicing on site Tuesday, much to the delight of fans on the grounds and all over the globe.
- Djokovic has the third-best odds of winning the title, but how he will fare in Melbourne and beyond might just be the biggest mystery for the 2025 season, especially after admitting that Melbourne still causes him "trauma" after his controversial deportation in 2021.
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- Coco Gauff has retooled her game and is coming off a strong finish to 2024, winning the China Open and the year-end WTA Finals. As the No. 3 seed, she will look to improve upon her semifinal run in 2024 and win her second major singles title.
- Carlos Alcaraz, who won the French Open and Wimbledon in 2024, will aim to complete the career Grand Slam with a title at the Australian Open. Although he had a less successful latter part of the 2024 season, he won the China Open and should be well-rested for the tournament.
- Both Gauff and Alcaraz had their best runs at the Australian Open in 2024, with Gauff reaching the semifinals and Alcaraz making it to the quarterfinals. They will both be looking to go further this year and contend for the title.
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- Swiatek remains a top threat on hard court despite struggling at the Australian Open in recent years
- Swiatek's recent positive drug test and subsequent suspension may add pressure to her performance
- Medvedev, a three-time Australian Open finalist, could make another run to the final despite a relatively subpar 2024 season
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- Naomi Osaka is optimistic about her chances at the Australian Open despite a recent injury, and her form seems to be returning to her previous level.
- Nick Kyrgios is finally back in time for his home Slam after undergoing multiple surgeries, and will be playing in both singles and doubles alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis.
- Kyrgios and Kokkinakis won the doubles title together in 2022, making them a formidable pair to watch out for in the tournament.
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- Nick Kyrgios made his official return to tennis earlier this month in Brisbane, but expressed concerns about his wrist and is also dealing with an abdominal strain.
- Despite his health issues, Kyrgios is expected to draw a large crowd due to his showmanship and exciting playing style.
- The American players have not won an Australian Open singles title in five years, and it has been 22 years since an American man won the tournament.
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- Five American women are in the top 20 heading into the main draw, including Jessica Pegula, who is coming off her best major result ever with a final appearance at the US Open.
- Emma Navarro had a breakthrough season with a semifinal run at the US Open and a quarterfinal bid at Wimbledon.
- Danielle Collins won her biggest title to date at the 1000-level Miami Open in March, as well as the title in Charleston the following week, and then almost retired before coming back for what could be (or might not be!) her final season.
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- Elena Rybakina hired Goran Ivanisevic as her coach during the offseason, but surprised the tennis world by announcing that her former coach Stefano Vukov would be rejoining her team on New Year's Day.
- Vukov had been provisionally suspended by the WTA for a breach of the Tour's code of conduct and he would not be able to obtain a credential for the Australian Open or other tournaments.
- Ivanisevic remained part of Rybakina's team for the time being, but called the situation "very strange" and "not good for anybody."
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- Several players have made changes in their coaching staff, including Iga Swiatek who is now working with Wim Fissette, and Coco Gauff who brought in Matt Daly to help with her grip and serve.
- Reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova announced her withdrawal from the tournament due to a lingering back injury sustained at the end of the 2024 season.
- Other changes in coaching staff and absences are expected to happen during the Australian Open.
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- Former world No. 1s Caroline Wozniacki and Karolina Pliskova have withdrawn from the tournament.
- Simona Halep, a former No. 1 and two-time major champion, withdrew from qualifying due to knee and shoulder pain.
- These withdrawals have impacted the women's draw, leaving some top players absent from the competition.
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- Arthur Fils, the 20-year-old Frenchman, ranked No. 20, will look to improve upon his impressive 2024 into the new year.
- Linda Noskova, ranked No. 30, recorded her best Slam result during last year's Australian Open by reaching the quarterfinals and is considered a rising star after her first WTA singles title at Monterrey in August.
- Joao Fonseca, the 18-year-old Brazilian, is currently playing in Australian Open qualifying and is considered one of the sport's brightest young stars after winning two titles on the Challenger tour and fresh off his victory at the Next Gen ATP Finals.
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- Zheng will focus on her recovery for the Australian Open after skipping the United Cup mixed-team event.
- Defending champion Sabalenka and in-form Gauff are drawn into the top half of the draw in a projected semi-final.
- Former world No. 1 Osaka, who retired injured in the ASB Classic final, will face France's Caroline Garcia in the first round in Melbourne for the second year in a row.
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