The 2025 Grand Slam tennis season kicks off this Sunday with the start of the Australian Open in Melbourne. Following the reveal of the singles draws for the hard-court major, USOpen.org analyzes at five of the biggest storylines to watch Down Under.
1) With help of Murray, Djokovic seeks 25th Grand Slam crown
As if it facing Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open wasn't intimidating enough, the 10-time champ has somehow added to his Melbourne mystique this fortnight. The Serb has joined forces with the recently retired Andy Murray to form perhaps the most famous player-coach duo in tennis history.
The pair worked together in Spain during the offseason and Murray will be by his former rival's side throughout the Aussie Open.
"He has a unique perspective on my game as one of the greatest rivals I've had. He knows the pros and cons of my game," Djokovic said of Murray.
"I think he's bringing a fresh look to my game and I'll be able to benefit from that, no doubt, on the court. But also that champion mentality he has, I'm sure we'll match very well."
For his part, Murray has been enjoying his new gig while bringing the required seriousness to the role: "At times it's very enjoyable. But high performance is not supposed to be laughs and jokes and messing around," said Murray, who has been laser-focused in the pair's Melbourne practice sessions.
Both Djokovic and Murray are considering their AO partnership a trial run, with plans to assess their future after the tournament. For now, all eyes are on Djokovic's first-round match against 19-year-old American Nishesh Basavareddy, a former Stanford star who will be making his Grand Slam debut against not one, but two legends of the game.
2) World No. 1 Sabalenka's hard-court dominance
As the top seed at a major for the first time in her career, Aryna Sabalenka is bidding to win her third consecutive hard-court Slam after sweeping the titles at the Australian Open and US Open in 2024. The world No. 1 is a two-time defending champ in Melbourne, where she will aim to become the first woman to win three straight AO titles since Martina Hingis in 1997-99.
"To be back here, and to walk here with this beautiful trophy as the two-time defending champion is definitely something special," Sabalenka said at Thursday's draw ceremony. "I really hope that I can keep doing what I'm doing here in Australia.
"Putting your name into history and being next to those legends, it's something special. [Winning three in a row] would be huge, but I have to focus on myself... bring my best tennis every time I'm out there, and to hopefully put my name next to those legends."
Sabalenka faces a tough opening test against 2017 US Open champ Sloane Stephens in the opening round, with her No. 1 ranking under threat from Iga Swiatek—and even Coco Gauff, should Sabalenka slip up early in the tournament.
3) With career Grand Slam in reach, Alcaraz on collision course with Djokovic
After splitting meetings in the finals at Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics last season, Carlos Alcaraz and Djokovic could collide much earlier this fortnight in Melbourne. Their first meeting at a hard-court major could come in the AO quarterfinals.
The third-seeded Alcaraz opens against Alexander Shevchenko, with 15th-seeded Jack Draper the highest-ranked opponent in his potential path to the quarters. Djokovic, seeded seventh, could meet 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round.
At just 21 years of age, Alcaraz can complete the career Grand Slam with the Melbourne title. He has won at least one major each year since his US Open breakthrough in 2022, including two titles last year at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
4) Gauff leads four American women seeded in Top 10
Fresh off leading the U.S. to the United Cup title alongside Taylor Fritz in Sydney, Coco Gauff headlines her nation's charge in Melbourne as one of four Americans among the Top 10 seeds. The third seed is joined by seventh seed Jessica Pegula, eighth seed Emma Navarro and 10th seed Danielle Collins.
Gauff has on outside chance of finishing the fortnight at world No. 1, if she wins the title and Sabalenka bows out early. But first she must turn her attention to an all-American first-round showdown with Sofia Kenin, the 2020 champ in Australia. Further down the line, Gauff could meet 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez in the third round and four-time major champ Naomi Osaka in the fourth round.
Pegula is seeded to meet Gauff in the quarterfinals. After her breakthrough run to the 2024 US Open final, the 30-year-old will enter Melbourne behind a deep run in Adelaide to start her season.
On the men's side, 2024 US Open finalist Taylor Fritz is one of five seeded Americans alongside Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton and Sebastian Korda. Coming into the tournament at a career-high of world No. 4, Fritz faces a tough opening test against compatriot Jenson Brooksby, who entered with a protected ranking.
5) Sinner returns to site of maiden major title
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner entered last year's Australian Open in blistering form but still as an outsider at the game's very biggest events. After matching Sabalenka in sweeping 2024's hard-court majors, the Italian returns to Melbourne Park as the men's favorite.
While he has yet to compete this season, Sinner brings a 14-match winning streak to the Grand Slam. He closed out the 2024 campaign with titles at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, the ATP Finals and Davis Cup.
Despite standing atop the ATP rankings by a wide margin from the chasing pack, Sinner received one of the toughest possible first-round draws for a seeded player. He will take on world No. 34 Nicolas Jarry to begin his title defense, with the Chilean two ranking spots away from earning a seed himself this fortnight.
For more from the Australian Open, visit the tournament's official website.
