The first highlight of the tennis year is coming up: the Australian Open. The favorites are the same as in 2023, but a few things are different
From a German perspective, the tennis year got off to a promising start with the triumph at the United Cup. Now the Australian Open is the first highlight of the season.
Deutsche Presse-Agentur gives an overview of the German pros, the favorites and what else is important
When does the Australian Open take place?
For the first time, the tournament in Melbourne Park starts on Sunday. The first round will therefore take place over three days. This is intended to equalize the match schedule. Above all, however, the decision means one more day of revenue for the organizers around the busy tournament director Craig Tiley. The women’s final will take place on January 27, while the men’s champion will be determined on January 28.
Where to play?
There are 24 hard courts in Melbourne Park, the big matches are played in the Rod Laver Arena with 14,800 spectators. There are a total of three arenas with sliding roofs that can be closed when it rains
What chances do the Germans have?
Alexander Zverev is already in top form at the start of the year. The Olympic champion won four of his five singles matches at the United Cup in Sydney, beating strong opponents such as Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas and Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz. In 2023, Zverev was already eliminated in the second round in Melbourne, but he was not really fit at the time following his serious foot injury. Jan-Lennard Struff is also seeded in the men’s tournament, but he was injured for a long time last year and is still looking for his rhythm.
Angelique Kerber is making her comeback on the women’s tennis stage. Although the 35-year-old lost four of her five singles matches at the United Cup, she has already shown promising signs again. The 2016 Melbourne winner is certainly not in contention for the title. However, Kerber could survive one or two rounds if she is lucky. Tatjana Maria, Laura Siegemund and Tamara Korpatsch are also certain to be in the main draw
Who are the top favorites?
There is no way around Novak Djokovic in the men’s singles. On no other court in the world has the world number one been as successful as in the Rod Laver Arena, where he won the title for the tenth time last year. In addition to Zverev, the Serb’s main challengers include the Italian Jannik Sinner, the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz and the Russian Danill Medvedev. Rafael Nadal, on the other hand, has to withdraw due to injury.
Poland’s Iga Swiatek is the favorite in the women’s singles. The world number one won the WTA Finals at the end of last year and won all five singles matches at the United Cup at the start of the new season. Also hoping for the title are world number two Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus, Brisbane winner Yelena Rybakina from Kazakhstan and American Coco Gauff, who triumphed in Auckland last week.
What else is interesting?
There are more mothers competing in Melbourne than ever before. In addition to Kerber, Japan’s Naomi Osaka is also making her comeback after giving birth to her child in the summer. Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki already returned last year, while Yelena Svitolina from Ukraine has been stronger than ever since the birth of her daughter. So the childcare team at Melbourne Park will have their hands full
How much is the prize money?
There is more money to be earned at the Australian Open than ever before. 86.5 million Australian dollars (around 53 million euros) will be paid out in prize money. The men’s and women’s champions will receive 3.15 million Australian dollars (1.92 million euros) for winning the title. Players who are eliminated early will also receive more money. Those who lose in the first round still receive around 120,000 Australian dollars (around 73,000 euros)
Where can I watch the Australian Open on TV?
The matches will be broadcast on Eurosport. The broadcaster is once again reporting from its studio in Munich-Unterföhring and is once again relying on prominent experts. Boris Becker will also be commentating and analyzing the matches from Germany, although his protégé Holger Rune from Denmark will be active in Melbourne. Barbara Rittner will provide expert commentary for the women’s matches. In total, Eurosport will be showing more than 260 hours of live tennis on the linear Eurosport channels. All matches can be followed live and on demand on the discovery+ streaming service.
