Four Players to Watch at the Australian Open
The 2025 tennis calendar is already well in swing, with a mix of seasoned champions and fresh challengers all keen to cement themselves as the next victor of the Australian Open.
Melbourne’s courts are the perfect opportunity for any of these players to make an early statement, adding more points to their ATP rankings.
Whether it’s Novak Djokovic looking to retake the trophy for an eleventh time or defending champion Jannik Sinner trying to secure a second successive win down under, victory here would be a strong statement of intent for the 2025 season.
Even in the first round, we’ve already seen the risk of a major upset as world number five Daniil Medvedev was almost bested by wildcard Kasidit Samrej, a shock which would have had a significant impact on the Australian Open odds.
In this article, we take a look at four of the players that are the ones to watch on the hard courts this year.
Carlos Alcaraz
One of the current favourites for the title, Carlos Alcarez has produced some incredible performances in his breakout years.
The Spaniard’s ability to seamlessly vary his shots have drawn comparisons to compatriot Rafael Nadal, a sign of his sheer potential.
Alcarez could become the youngest player to achieve a career Grand Slam if he can claim the title at the Rod Laver Arena this month.
With four Grand Slam titles already to his name, it’s clear that he has the potential to win in high-pressure finals.
But he didn’t have the strongest finish to 2024, suffering a shock second-round defeat in straight sets that saw him exit the US Open.
This makes the Australian Open real test of whether he will return to form in 2025 or slip further down the rankings.
Novak Djokovic
Few tennis players can compare to the legacy of Novak Djokovic and his record-breaking run of Grand Slam titles. Even as he approaches his late thirties, Djokovic remains a serious competitor and one of the ones to beat.
It’s clear that the Serbian intends to add an unmatched eleventh Australian Open title to his trophy case, still drawing solid odds in the current tennis betting. But this is also the first real test of his new coaching partnership with Andy Murray, which may take time to hit its stride.
Still, there’s no denying that Djokovic’s wealth of experience on the court makes him a serious force to be reckoned with, especially at his most successful Slam.
Jannik Sinner
Defending champion and current world number one, Jannik Sinner has a lot riding on his 2025 Australian Open campaign.
Returning to the site of his first major win, the Italian will be looking to cement his status by starting off the year strong.
With his powerful baseline game and control of rallies, Sinner is shaping up to be one of the most consistent performers in the current ATP Tour lineup. If his serve continues to improve, he could well be on his way to taking home the title for a second time.
While his position at the top of the ATP rankings remains secure for now, could the pressure of following up last year’s win see him falter in Melbourne?
Daniil Medvedev
A strong performer on hard courts, Daniil Medvedev is another prime contender for the title. However, his campaign has already gotten off to a rocky start with an unexpectedly close match against Kasidit Samrej that almost saw him dismissed in the first round.
Medvedev’s endurance and ability to maintain form deep into a five-set game have already paid off, highlighting that he remains a strong threat even on a weaker start. His affinity for the hard surface also makes him impossible to discount from the running here in the Australian Open.
Having reached the final in three previous years, 2025 could be the year that Medvedev finally breaks through to take the title.
