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Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner among stars to play in AO Opening Week

Amateur tennis players will get the chance to take a swing at the world’s best in a Grand Slam tournament first to be unveiled at next month’s Australian Open.

Seven smashing activities at AO Opening Week 2025

Sports fans will get to see the world’s best tennis players up close in Melbourne for as little as $15 for adults and $10 for kids in the lead-up to next month’s Australian Open.

Superstars Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner will on Monday be announced among global stars taking to the court for AO Opening Week, presented by the Herald Sun.

Aussies Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin and this year’s AO women’s runner up Qinwen Zheng of China will also take part in four nights of charity matches on Rod Laver Arena.

In a world first, grassroots Victorian players will be given the chance to take on the world’s best with the Australian Open 1 Point Slam introduced to pit community and club aces against their idols.

Novak Djokovic. Picture: Michael Klein
Novak Djokovic. Picture: Michael Klein

A new fan stage will be opened on Grand Slam Oval, with players taking part in question and answer sessions, fan photos and autograph signings several times a day.

And new fast-paced tennis tournament Red Bull Bassline will take over centre court on January 7 with six of the world’s top 50 players, DJs and entertainment.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said the January 6-11 event preceding the two-week Grand Slam proper gave fans value for money and unprecedented access to players and Melbourne Park.

“Australian Open 2025 will kick off with a bang with more incredible tennis and entertainment on offer than ever before, and more of the precinct open during Opening Week,” he said.

Carlos Alcaraz. Picture: Getty
Carlos Alcaraz. Picture: Getty

“There will be four spectacular nights of charity matches on Rod Laver Arena featuring an incredible line-up of international stars.”

Herald Sun editor Sam Weir said: “the Australian Open is one of the world’s greatest sporting events, and the action on and off the court gets bigger and better every year.

“The Herald Sun has always backed the Australian Open and is proud to partner with a fantastic initiative like Opening Week, which gives even more fans and families the chance to join the fun and get up close to the superstars of tennis.”

Tickets to the charity matches start at $30 for adults and $24 for kids/concession, with ground passes $15 for adults and $10 for kids.

AO qualifying will see 256 men and women including future stars battle it out for 32 places in the main draw during Opening Week.

Jannik Sinner. Picture: Getty
Jannik Sinner. Picture: Getty

Melbourne’s Marc Polmans said trying to force his way into the “Happy Slam” via qualifying with a vocal Aussie crowd made Opening Week a winner.

“The crowds get a lot closer to the matches, closer to the practices – that’s nice,” he said.

“I think making it a three week tournament is great, this year they had the record amount of fans so every year it’s getting bigger and extending the event is a smart thing to do.”

Daily open practice sessions in Rod Laver Arena will give fans more chances to watch their favourite players up close.

And fans will have a front-row seat to watch players practice in The Village – a new precinct between Kia Arena and John Cain Arena.

“On a Ground Pass, fans can watch the champions of tomorrow battle it out in qualifying,” Mr Tiley said.

“Get up close to the titans of the game as they practice on Rod Laver Arena, enjoy live music, hear directly from players, shop and sample delicious food and drinks from a huge range of outlets.

“We’ll also be giving out five thousand Hot Shots tennis racquets to kids.”

Kids Tennis Day will return on January 11, with player appearances and live performances.

Family friendly activities will be staged during the week, including the AO Ballpark with an obstacle course, water slide with 2.5m and 6m drops and craft areas.

The official AO Draw will be held on the steps of Margaret Court Arena on January 9 and shown live on big screens around the site.

Ground passes for Opening Week are on sale via Ticketmaster.

Tickets to Kids Tennis Day range from $15 to $25, while kids aged two and younger are free.

Face off against the pros

Amateur tennis players will get the chance to take a swing at the world’s best in a Grand Slam tournament first to be unveiled at next year’s Australian Open.

Players from club and community level will be given the opportunity to play their tennis idols in the Australian Open 1 Point Slam.

Billed as “unlike anything ever seen at a Grand Slam before”, men and women will play against the pros for ultimate bragging rights.

The David vs. Goliath challenge will see 16 pro players – eight men and eight women – face off against 16 Victorian club competitors aged 18 and over.

There will be 31 matches played over five rounds to determine a winner who takes home $60,000 – with men and women to also clash in the quest for glory.

Australian Open chief Craig Tiley said the concept would be a game-changer for tennis, likely to be followed globally.

“We are incredibly excited to host the world’s first 1 Point Slam at the Australian Open and know fans will get behind Victorian locals as they take on the pros,” he said.

“We have such a strong tennis-playing community in Australia, and the beauty of this new tournament is that it all comes down to how you play a single point.

“Anyone could be the winner, and I’m looking forward to seeing some of our local club champions go head-to-head with the world’s best.”

The fast-paced tournament will see players on a show court for about 90 minutes, with MC introductions, walk-on music and trophy celebrations.

In a cutthroat competition, players who win a point will advance to the next round while losers are eliminated.

Elwood Park Tennis Club’s Richard Sharp hopes to trade his usual spot in the Bayside Regional Tennis Association for the bright lights of Rod Laver Arena for a crack at the world’s best.

Elwood Park Tennis Club player Richard Sharp. Picture: Josie Hayden
Elwood Park Tennis Club player Richard Sharp. Picture: Josie Hayden

“It sounds like a fun thing to do and not many people get to experience playing against professional tennis players,” he said.

“Having a crack at them would be great fun.

“If you can come away saying you played Novak Djokovic in a point and you beat him, you may as well go for it.”

Mr Sharp, 57, said he was hoping to square off against Nick Kyrgios.

“My son said Kyrgios gets distracted pretty easily, so I could probably crack a couple of jokes and then try and sneak in some quick serves while he’s laughing,” he said.

For a shot at the title, competitors must have a “competitive player profile”, which measures their experience level.

A coin toss will determine who serves across the rounds of 32 and 16 and the quarter-finals, semis and the final.

A date for the series is still to be determined but will likely be on January 8.

Originally published as Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner among stars to play in AO Opening Week

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/novak-djokovic-carlos-alcaraz-and-jannik-sinner-among-stars-to-play-in-ao-opening-week/news-story/8fbf4a5d1a99dab4656fb67d26068f07