Australian Open 2025 preview
January 12-26, Melbourne Park

The new tennis season heralds the first major of 2025,
as World No.1 stars Jannik Sinner and Arnya Sabalenka
both aim to defend their crowns. The men’s and
women’s singles champions will each earn
an impressive AUD $3.5m, from a total
prize fund of AUD $96.5m

Novak Djokovic returns to
arguably favourite surface,
despite citing “trauma”
due to Covid-19
deportation
in 2022

CENTURY MILESTONE: Ten-time Australian Open
champion Novak Djokovic is chasing 100th ATP Tour
title – only Jimmy Connors and perennial rival
Roger Federer (inset) have achieved feat

Open Era: Men’s singles titles leaders
Grand Slams

Jimmy Connors
USA
Years: 1972-96
109
8

Roger Federer
1998-2022
SUI
103
20

Novak Djokovic
2003-
SRB
99
24

Ivan Lendl
1978-94
CZE
94
8

Rafael Nadal
2001-24
ESP
92
22

John McEnroe
1978-94
USA
77
7

Serb also
serving to
clinch 25th
major title
and surpass
Margaret Court’s
all-time record

EMERGING BATTLE: Undeterred by Sabalenka winning both hard court
Grand Slams in 2024, Swiatek boasted superior win ratio on surface.
Pair are set to fiercely duel for World No.1 spot this season

Hard court: Women’s win ratio 2024

85.0%
Swiatek (left)
W34-L6

81.6%
Sabalenka
W40-L9

78.9%
Muchova
W15-L4

77.8%
Gauff
W35-L10

77.4%
Rybakina
W24-L7

TOP 10 PLAYERS
ATP / WTA rankings as of Jan 6

Jannik Sinner
Alexander Zverev
Carlos Alcaraz
Taylor Fritz
Daniil Medvedev
Casper Ruud
Novak Djokovic
Alex de Minaur
Andrey Rublev
Grigor Dimitrov

ITA
GER
ESP
USA
–
NOR
SRB
AUS
–
BUL

Aryna Sabalenka
Iga Swiatek
Coco Gauff
Jasmine Paolini
Qinwen Zheng
Elena Rybakina
Jessica Pegula
Emma Navarro
Daria Kasatkina
Barbora Krejčíková

–
POL
USA
ITA
CHN
KAZ
USA
USA
–
CZE

Norman Brookes
Challenge Cup
First winner:
Fred Perry (1934)

Daphne Akhurst
Memorial Cup
First winner:
Joan Hartigan (1934)


ROLL CALL OF CHAMPIONS
MOST CHAMPIONSHIPS (OPEN ERA)

N. Djokovic SRB
2008, 11-13, 15, 16, 19-21, 23
10

Roger Federer SUI
2004, 06, 07, 10, 17, 18
6

Andre Agassi USA
1995, 2000, 01, 03
4

Mats Wilander SWE
1983, 84, 88
3

Serena Williams USA
2003, 05, 07, 09, 10, 15, 17
7

Margaret Court AUS*
1969, 70, 71, 73
4

Evonne Goolagong AUS
1974-77
4

Steffi Graf GER
1988-90, 94
4

Monica Seles YUG / USA
1991-93, 96
4

*Margaret Court claimed 7 Australian Championships (1960-66)
before introduction of Open Era – winning 11 titles overall

Sources: Australian Open, ATP, WTA
Pictures: Getty Images
© GRAPHIC NEWS