FILE - Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus plays a forehand return to Zheng Qinwen of China during the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)

Australian Open begins January 12 in Melbourne, and the draws for the men’s and women’s singles are intriguing — and have thrown up some blockbuster first-round matches. The Athletic’s tennis writers,

Jannik Sinner will open his campaign against Nicholas Jarry, and Novak Djokovic will face Indian-origin American player Nishesh Basavareddy in his opener.

Top-ranked Aussie de Minaur is looking for a fourth straight Grand Slam quarter-final – and a first in Melbourne – and also does not face too many obvious threats on his way t

Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka aim to defend their titles at the 2025 Australian Open, starting with qualifiers on January 6. Major matches begin January 12, culminating in finals on January 25 and 26 at Melbourne Park,

Novak Djokovic has been handed a brutal route to the Australian Open final, potentially facing Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, & Jannik Sinner.