New Delhi: The star players have already landed in Melbourne for the first slam of the year, which has already thrown up some intriguing storylines and has some of the best stories to witness in the coming weeks. The tournament is set to begin on Sunday and will culminate with the finals on 25-26 January.
But before the main action kicks in, let’s take a closer look at the five key talking points as Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka pull their socks up to defend their singles titles.
Novak Djokovic’s Quest for 25th Grand Slam begins…
Continuing to write history ✍️
Breaking down Novak Djokovic by the numbers at #AO2025 👇 pic.twitter.com/bTzxZgCJki
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 11, 2025
As the tournament is set to begin, the question lingers: Can Novak Djokovic defy the odds once again and claim his place atop tennis history? Novak Djokovic has achieved what many believe to be impossible, redefining longevity in tennis. As the oldest winner of a Grand Slam title in the Open Era, Djoko stands on the brink of history, aiming for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam. The great Australian Ken Rosewall won the 1972 Australian Open after turning 37 two months earlier, and Djokovic is already 37 and will turn 38 in just a couple of months.
The Djoker has the ability to stun the world, and he did something similar just before the beginning of the new season when he hired his long-time rival, Andy Murray, as his new coach. Anything less than the record-extending 25th Grand Slam would be unsatisfactory for both men. Djokovic would look to move clear of Australia’s Margaret Court to become the sole leader of all-time Grand Slam singles titles.
Djokovic is seeded seventh and faces a challenging road to glory. With young rivals dominating the top ranks, he will need to outshine them to become the oldest Grand Slam men’s champion in the Open Era.
Can Jannik Sinner defend his title amid doping row?
Italy’s Jannik Sinner watches after throwing his wristband during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open. (REUTERS/Edgar Su)
How do you follow up a career-defining season that will be remembered for years to come? That’s the question facing Jannik Sinner as he prepares for 2025.
At just 23, Sinner returns to Melbourne Park as the reigning Australian Open champion and the world’s top-ranked player. He had an incredible 2024 campaign, having won eight titles and losing only six out of 79 matches, a feat that established him as one of the most dominant players on the tour.
The Italian’s accomplishments last year include two Grand Slams (Australian Open and US Open), three Masters 1000 events, two ATP 500 titles, and the ATP Finals. He also led Italy to a Davis Cup triumph for the second year in a row. However, as Sinner sets out to defend his Australian Open title, he faces a daunting task at his hands.
In March 2024, the Italian failed two doping tests but was later cleared of any wrongdoing. Despite this, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is appealing the decision and seeking a suspension ranging from one to two years. The case is set to be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on April 16 and 17, which adds an additional layer of pressure to his already demanding season.
As the tennis world waits to see how Sinner will handle both the expectations of his remarkable rise and the challenges off the court, one thing is certain: all eyes will be on the young Italian as he navigates this pivotal chapter of his career.
Can anyone stop Aryna Sabalenka’s quest for a Three-Peat?
Focusing on the two-time reigning champion🧐
Aryna Sabalenka arrives with a 14-match winning streak in Melbourne and more 👇 pic.twitter.com/iFYZv1uO8a
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 11, 2025
The World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka’s consistency across all four Grand Slam events has been a defining feature of her career, but the hard courts remain her most dominant territory.
The 26-year-old lioness from Belarus has been unstoppable at the Australian Open, capturing consecutive titles in Melbourne. Adding to her impressive records, she claimed the US Open crown in September and ended the season as the world’s top-ranked player for the first time in her career.
Now, Sabalenka is on the verge of making history. She has a chance to become only the seventh player in WTA history and the first in over two decades since Martina Hingis (1997-1999) won three consecutive Australian Open women’s singles titles.
The Melbourne Park courts in Australia suit Sabalenka’s powerful and aggression-based style of play, making her a nightmare opponent for any challenger. Since 2023, she has won 27 of her 28 matches down under and has even claimed the Brisbane International titl,e showing her readiness for the 2025 campaign.
With such form and confidence, Sabalenka stands as the undeniable favourite at the event and stopping her from completing a historic three-peat will be a monumental task for the rest of the women’s players.
Will Carlos Alcaraz achieve a Career Slam?
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open (REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas)
Carlos Alcaraz is on the brink of creating history. At just 21, the Spaniard holds the chance to become the youngest ever man to win all major Grand Slams (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open) at least once, thus completing the Career Slam.
The record for the youngest Career Slam belongs to 22 Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, who achieved the feat when he was 24 years old back in the 2010 US Open. However, chasing the Career Slam is a big challenge for Alcaraz, as he has never progressed beyond the quarter-final stage in Melbourne.
Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios uphill battle
Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open. (Image via Reuters)
The Australian tennis star Nich Kyrgios, who is well known for his fiery personality and undeniable talent, is back after a prolonged absence from the tour due to a series of injuries. The 29-year-old, whose career was significantly disrupted by a severe wrist issue had been uncertain about his future in tennis.
However, he made a promising return in Brisbane as he paired alongside his former rival Novak Djokovic in doubles. Later, in a singles match, he pushed young French talent Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard to the limit.
Despite his determination, Kyrgios admitted that his wrist was still “throbbing,” leaving him uncertain whether he could endure the demands of a Grand Slam five-set match. Still, his return to Melbourne Park has already created a lot of buzz, as his unfiltered style of play and connection with the crowd make him a must-watch during the tournament.
On the other hand, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka is also battling her own set of challenges. After showing signs of returning to form at the ASB Classic, the Japanese star was forced to retire from the final due to an abdominal injury. Her difficulties increased when she publicly announced her breakup with her longtime partner, Cordae. The breakup has added emotional strain to an already challenging year.
With these hurdles weighing on Osaka, she now faces one of the most challenging draws to the Australian Open final in her career. The question remains—can she overcome both personal and physical challenges to secure another Grand Slam title?
For both Osaka and Kyrgios, the Australian Open presents a unique opportunity to make a statement, but for that, they first need to navigate their respective battles to reclaim their place at the top of the tennis world.
From Djokovic’s pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam to Sabalenka’s quest for a three-peat, here are five storylines that will shape the 2025 Australian Open. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
