The Australian Open 2025 edition
It’s not always the case that the Australian Open champions of any given year end that year as the No. 1 seed. There’s a lot of tennis played, including three more grand slams, between January, when the AO is held, and December, when the final rankings for the year are in. But that was the case for Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka in 2024. They won their respective singles titles at Melbourne Park in January last year, and each also ended the year in the No. 1 spot, thanks in part to each winning the US Open in 2024, too. All this is good news for Australian tennis audiences, as Sinner and Sabalenka return as reigning champions this month –with a steely determination to snare the AO trophies again. As Alan Attwood writes in today’s Tennis magazine, though, there will be plenty of challengers equally determined to wrest the silverware off them, not least Novak Djokovic, who will be chasing his 11th AO trophy. – Editor, Katrina Strickland.
‘Like a scary movie’: What goes on in the minds of tennis players
Every elite tennis player can hit killer shots and ace their serves. So what separates the best from the rest?
- by Alan Attwood
‘Novak didn’t really like that’: How Aussie Alexei Popyrin became the giant-slayer
His shock defeat of Novak Djokovic at last year’s US Open catapulted him into the top 25. But for Popyrin, this was no bolt from the blue.
- by Brook Turner
‘Now I get it’: Jelena Dokic on tackling hardship – and her key morning routine
The former world No. 4 suffered incredible trauma during her career. Now she’s showing the world how it’s possible to not just survive it, but thrive afterwards.
- by Konrad Marshall
Australian Open 2025: Players to watch
From the “next big things” to former champions or slow burners who surprise – the names to keep an eye on.
- by Alan Attwood
Many see Alcaraz and Sinner as tennis’s new kings – but is a ‘Sincaraz’ era certain?
After two decades, the Federer/Nadal/Djokovic dynasty is ending. Are Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz the new ‘untouchables’?
- by Greg Baum
‘Never thought I’d do that’: Jordan Thompson’s shift from doubles champ to singles threat
He’s trounced Nadal and Zverev in singles in the past year: at 30, Australia’s men’s doubles champ is playing the best tennis of his career.
- by David Leser
She’s world junior champ, he’s hitting the men’s tour: Meet our sibling teen titans
They’re already among the world’s best juniors: Gold Coast brother-sister tennis duo Emerson and Hayden Jones on family life on the international circuit.
- by Konrad Marshall
The story behind ‘Norm’ and ‘Daph’ – the Australian Open singles trophies
From trophy makers serving up serious style behind the scenes at the Australian Open, to covetable fashion collabs, memorable merch and top tucker, there is much to savour at the tennis.
- by Damien Woolnough and Melissa Singer
Danielle Alvarez shares her favourite chicken sandwich recipe of all time
This creamy, tarragon and black-pepper spiked filling is perfect for sliders or as a dip.
- by Danielle Alvarez
Prawn toasts with avocado, lime and chilli
Served on bread or with corn chips, this summer snack is a real crowd-pleaser.
- by Julia Busuttil Nishimura
Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/sport/tennis/the-australian-open-2025-edition-20241108-p5koye.html