FILE – Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, center, holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after beating Zheng Qinwen of China, second left, in the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, January 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte, file)
MELBOURNE, Australia — Prepare for the Australian Open with a guide that tells you everything you need to know about how to watch the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year, betting odds, calendar and much more:
When does the Australian Open start?
Typically, matches begin at 11:00 a.m. local time (8:00 a.m. PH), and night sessions begin at 7:00 p.m. local time (4:00 p.m. PH).
Article continues after this ad
How to watch the Australian Open on TV
— In the United States: ESPN and Tennis Channel.
— In the Philippines, the beIN Sports.
Who is on the program for Sunday at the Australian Open?
The two biggest names on the opening day schedule belong to Aryna Sabalenka and Alexander Zverev, and both are expected to play the night at Rod Laver Arena. Top-seeded Sabalenka will face 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens at 7 p.m. (3 a.m. EST), followed by No. 2 Zverev against Lucas Pouille, which could start around 9:30 p.m. (5:30 a.m. EST).
Article continues after this ad
The woman Sabalenka beat in last year’s final in Melbourne, Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, will meet qualifier Anca Todoni in the first match of 2025 at Laver at 11:30 a.m. (7:30 p.m. EST), with Casper Ruud, three-time major finalist. then against Jaume Munar.
What are the Australian Open betting odds?
Italian Jannik Sinner returns during a men’s singles practice match against Australian Alexei Popyrin before the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 7, 2025. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)
Defending champions Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner are listed as the favorites to win the Australian Open, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
Sabalenka – who has won each of the last two Australian Opens and the US Open in September – is +225. She is followed by 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff at +400, and No. 2 Iga Swiatek, who has five Grand Slam titles but none from the Australian Open, at +450, with the winner of Wimbledon 2022 Elena Rybakina at +900.
Sinner, whose first Grand Slam trophy came at Melbourne Park a year ago and his second at the US Open, is listed at +120, ahead of four-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz at +350 and the 24-time champion of the Grand Slam Novak Djokovic at +550. There is a drop to fourth choice Alexander Zverev at +1000.
Where is the Australian Open played?
The Australian Open is played on outdoor hard courts at Melbourne Park. The women play best-of-three sets matches; men play best-of-five. There are separate day and night sessions. The event lasts 15 days. There are retractable roofs on the three largest stadiums: Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena.
Who are the top seeds for the Australian Open?
Aryna Sabalenka is the top seed for women and Jannik Sinner is the top seed for men.
What is the Australian Open singles schedule?
- Sunday-Tuesday: first round (women and men)
- Wednesday-Thursday: Second round (Women and Men)
- January 17-18: Third round (Women and Men)
- January 19-20: Fourth round (Women and Men)
- January 21-22: quarter-finals (women and men)
- January 23: women’s semi-finals
- January 24: men’s semi-finals
- January 25: Women’s final
- January 26: Men’s final
Who are the reigning Australian Open champions?
Aryna Sabalenka won her second consecutive title at Melbourne Park in 2024 by beating Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 6-2 in the final. Jannik Sinner knocked out 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals before coming back to beat Daniil Medvedev in the final 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 .
How much prize money is at the Australian Open 2025?
Total prize money from the Australian Open stands at a record 96.5 million Australian dollars (approximately $60 million). The two singles champions will each receive 3.5 million Australian dollars (approximately $2.15 million), up from 3.15 million Australian dollars (approximately $1.95 million) a year ago, but still in below the pre-pandemic peak of A$4.12 million ($2.55 million) in 2017. 2020.
Key stats at Melbourne Park
3 — Aryna Sabalenka will attempt to win a third consecutive women’s singles title at Melbourne Park, a feat last accomplished by Martina Hingis from 1997 to 1999.
24 — The number of Grand Slam singles championships won by Novak Djokovic, tied with Margaret Court for the most in tennis history. One more will give Djokovic sole possession of the record.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription was successful.
What was said at the Australian Open?
“Trying to win as many Grand Slams as possible, that’s my main goal.” — Carlos Alcaraz, who already has four major titles at 21.
