Australian Open 2025: Defending Champions, Schedule, And Prize Money

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus kisses the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after defeating Zheng Qinwen of China in the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships at Melbourne Par

The Australian Open, the year's first Grand Slam tennis tournament, is set to kick off with much anticipation and excitement. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you stay informed about the event:

Australian Open Draw and Schedule

The draw for the women's and men's singles fields will take place on Thursday in Australia. Matches in the main draw will begin on Sunday morning in Australia, corresponding to Saturday night in New York. Matches generally start at 11 a.m. local time, with night sessions commencing at 7 p.m. local time.

How to Watch

In the U.S., tennis enthusiasts can catch the action on ESPN and Tennis Channel. Viewers from other countries can refer to local listings for broadcasting information.

Betting Odds

Matches start on Sunday morning in Australia

Australian Open draw and schedule announced on Thursday

Defending champions Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner favored to win

Tournament held at Melbourne Park on outdoor hard courts

Defending champions Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner are the favorites to win, with Sabalenka at +225 and Sinner at +140, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

Venue and Format

The Australian Open is played on outdoor hard courts at Melbourne Park. Women play best-of-three-set matches, while men play best-of-five. The tournament spans 15 days, featuring separate day and night sessions and retractable roofs on the three largest courts.

Top Seeds and Singles Schedule

Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner will be the top-seeded players. The singles schedule includes rounds from January 12 to 26, culminating in the women's and men's finals.

Defending Champions

In 2024, Aryna Sabalenka claimed her second consecutive title by defeating Zheng Qinwen, while Jannik Sinner triumphed over Daniil Medvedev after eliminating Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.

Prize Money

The total prize money for the 2025 Australian Open is a record 96.5 million Australian dollars, with each singles champion receiving 3.5 million Australian dollars.

Key Stats

Notable statistics include Sabalenka's quest for a third consecutive title and Novak Djokovic's pursuit of breaking the all-time Grand Slam singles championship record.

Stay tuned for the Australian Open action and witness the world's best tennis players compete for glory at Melbourne Park!