Djokovic, de Minaur, Sabalenka headline AO Opening Week charity matches
Four Australian Open champions and the highest-ranked Aussie headline a spectacular line-up playing charity matches in Melbourne next week.
Victoria
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Global tennis stars have rallied around a move to extend the Australian Open by a week with a series of charity matches and up-close fan experiences in Melbourne.
The Herald Sun last week revealed AO Opening Week would pack more on-court action than ever into Melbourne Park from January 8-13, including four blockbuster matches on Rod Laver Arena.
Now, full details can be revealed about who will play, when and how you can score a ticket to see some of the best players on earth for a fraction of the normal cost.
World No.1 Novak Djokovic, fellow defending AO champion Aryna Sabalenka and former Melbourne Park queens Naomi Osaka and Caroline Wozniacki will take part in the charity matches, presented by the Herald Sun.
So will world No.2 Carlos Alcaraz, Aussie star Alex de Minaur, last year’s finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, world No.8 Maria Sakkari and Norwegian former world No.2 Casper Ruud.
It will be the headline act of three weeks of action instead of the two-week tournament proper.
Australian Open director Craig Tiley said Opening Week would showcase “fantastic players on our biggest stage and for a great cause’’.
“For the very first time, we are producing four spectacular nights of tennis action and entertainment leading into the Australian Open, another way we are bringing fans closer to the action than ever before,’’ he said.
A special night with 10-time Australian Open winner Djokovic will be staged on January 11, including a cultural showcase and one set rematch of last year’s Melbourne Park final.
Sabalenka and Sakkari will join them for a set of mixed doubles.
High-profile athletes from other sports will test Djokovic in other codes before taking them on in tennis.
And young guns Alcaraz and Ruud will face off in the final charity match.
“Come watch me play against Carlos Alcaraz during the AO Opening Week,’’ world No.11 Ruud said.
Tickets are now on sale via Ticketmaster, mostly for $20, with $50 seats closest to the baseline.
The four charity matches will raise money for the Australian Tennis Foundation’s Brighter Days program, which provides young people and their families relief from challenging life circumstances.
There is also potential for tennis stars playing in the matches to share a slice of the proceeds with their own charities or foundations.
Opening Week will see daily practice sessions for the game’s best players on arena courts accessible to the public for the first time, with tickets only $10 for adults and $5 for kids.
Melbourne Park bars and restaurants will open for qualifying matches as up-and-comers try to break into the main draw.
And an AO Opening Week Fan Zone will open next week.
“I can’t think of a better way to kick off AO 2024,’’ Mr Tiley said.
AO OPENING WEEK PRESENTED BY HERALD SUN
January 9: Naomi Osaka and Caroline Wozniacki in a double header, with opponents to be announced shortly.
January 10: Carlos Alcaraz v Alex de Minaur, in what promises to be an epic matchup.
January 11: Novak Djokovic will present a tennis and cultural showcase with 2023 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka, world No.8 Maria Sakkari and special guests.
January 12: Carlos Alcaraz v world No.11 Casper Ruud.
January 13: Kids Tennis Day, presented by Emirates.
Man charged over ‘Pam the Bird’ graffiti attacks
A Yarraville man has been charged with some of Melbourne’s most high-profile “Pam the Bird” graffiti attacks, including on the Flinders Street Station clock and CityLink “Cheese Stick” column.
‘She was preyed upon’: Mushroom victim’s family demand answers
Rachael Dixon’s grieving parents have spoken for the first time since their daughter’s death, alleging a trusted friend took advantage of her at a health retreat in regional Victoria.