World’s best tennis players set to play at the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park

The entry lists for the 2021 Australian Open are out. See which men’s and women’s stars are coming to Melbourne in February.

Roger Federer.

Australia’s world No.1 Ash Barty and defending champions Novak Djokovic and Sofia Kenin headline strong men’s and women’s fields for next month’s Australian Open.

Djokovic, who has just amassed his 300th week spent at No.1, is gunning for a record ninth Open triumph.

The entry lists for the year’s opening grand slam are out and so far no player has made themselves unavailable, including six-time winner Roger Federer.

It’s a huge result for the Australian event, which will be held between February 8-21, after the French Open and US Open draws were severely compromised at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in recent months.

Federer has resumed training in Dubai as he attempts to play competitively for the first time since making the Australian Open semi-finals in January and after multiple surgeries on his left knee.

Serena Williams is another huge name heading to Melbourne Park, with the goal of matching Australian legend Margaret Court’s record of 24 grand slam singles titles and winning for the eighth time in Australia.

Also playing are world No.2 Rafael Nadal and 2019 champion and reigning US Open winner Naomi Osaka, while dual Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka returns after missing the tournament this year.

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Roger Federer is coming back for another Australian Open. Picture: Michael Klein

Dominic Thiem will aim to better his final showing from the 2020 Australian Open after winning the US Open men’s title – his first at grand slam standard – in September.

Teenager Iga Swiatek, who clinched her maiden grand slam title at this year’s French Open, will also try to add to her burgeoning reputation in the sport.

Federer and Nadal are equal on 20 grand slam titles, meaning if either claims another Australian Open crown they will move into sole ownership of the men’s record.

Serena Williams is gunning for her 24th grand slam title. Picture: Michael Klein

Thirteen Australians are already assured of their Australian Open spot as they attempt to end a local singles title drought that stretches to Chris O’Neil in 1978.

Mark Edmondson was the last Australian male to salute in the singles at his home grand slam, way back in 1976.

Barty, Ajla Tomljanovic and wildcards Astra Sharma, Maddison Inglis, Lizette Cabrera and Daria Gavrilova are confirmed starters on the women’s side.

World No.23 Alex de Minaur leads Australia’s male contingent, which includes John Millman, Nick Kyrgios, Jordan Thompson, James Duckworth and wildcards Chris O’Connell and Marc Polmans.