AO draw 2025: Sabalenka and Sinner plot their path

Defending champions with plenty of tests

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka – hoping to become the first woman to secure an Australian Open hat-trick since Martina Hingis in 1999 – has an intriguing opener against US Open 2017 champion Sloane Stephens.

Sabalenka is in fine fettle, having lifted the Brisbane trophy last week, but will need to be cautious with a possible third round over the net from Clara Tauson or No.29 seed Linda Noskova. Remember, Noskova conquered Iga Swiatek in the AO 2024 third round, whilst the resurgent Tauson was hailed Auckland champion a week ago.

Roland-Garros semi-finalist Mirra Andreeva presents a potential Last 16 clash, ahead of a blockbuster rematch of last year's Australian Open final with Zheng Qinwen.

If all of that unfolds, Sabalenka versus the in-from Coco Gauff could be a sensational semi-final on Rod Laver Arena.

Over to men's world No.1 Jannik Sinner, who managed to avoid his two closest rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic in his half of the draw.

Following an ultra-dominant 2024, the Italian will attempt to defend a Major for the first time. The towering Chilean Nicolas Jarry serves up a stern opening test. Last September Sinner reeled in the world No.34 from a set down in Beijing.

Sinner (up 9-0) would be favourite to dismiss green and gold talisman Alex de Minaur in the Elite 8, with hotshots such as No.13 seed Holger Rune and No.32 seed Flavio Cobolli likely early examinations of his title credentials.

Swiatek and Gauff on high alert

World No.2 Iga Swiatek – a 2022 semi-finalist at Melbourne Park – will need to overcome doubles world No.1 Katerina Siniakova at the first hurdle.

The Pole is in a section containing No.26 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, the firecracker Amanda Anisimova and two-time champion Victoria Azarenka, with No.8 seed Emma Navarro pencilled in as a quarter-final clash.

Gauff was the tournament MVP as she guided Team USA to United Cup glory over the weekend, which was capped with a dominant victory over Swiatek.

The 20-year-old must be sharp from the start in a first-round tussle with 2020 champion Sofia Kenin. Gauff has been hailed the winner in 18 of her past 20 matches, however, in their most recent meeting, Kenin prevailed over Gauff in the Wimbledon 2023 first round.

Before any talk of taking on Sabalenka in the last four, Gauff must escape a quarter of the draw with Leylah Fernandez and fellow American Jessica Pegula.

High seeded Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina landed in the bottom half of the draw with Swiatek. Could Paolini and Rybakina reunite in a major once again? The Italian found the answers in the Roland-Garros 2024 quarter-finals over three sets.

Danger looms for them both with seeded stars Danielle Collins, Madison Keys, Katie Boulter and Elina Svitolina all capable of striking on the big stage.

In order for 2024 runner-up Zheng to hit the quarter-finals, the Chinese superstar has to navigate a section with No.12 seed Diana Shnaider and No.18 seed Donna Vekic.

WTA popcorn matches

Three times last year Caroline Garcia and two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka collided, with the Frenchwoman claiming a 2-1 scoreline. At AO2024, Garcia clinched a 6-4, 7-6(2) win, what can former world No.1 Osaka conjure up? Their reward could be taking on No.20 seed Karolina Muchova in the second round.

Rybakina versus Australian junior world No.1 Emerson Jones deserves a mention, as well as No.16 seed Jelena Ostapenko in a battle with Belinda Bencic, who continues her comeback from childbirth last April.

➡️ Click here to see the full draw of the women singles tournament

Alcaraz and Djokovic in close quarters

Roland-Garros 2024 champion Carlos Alcaraz requires a maiden Norman Brookes Challenge Cup lift to complete the major set with a career Grand Slam at Melbourne Park.

The Spaniard – with world No.72 Alexander Shevchenko first up – might have to derail 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic and No.2 seed Alexander Zverev (who opens facing AO 2019 semi-finalist Lucas Pouille) in order to reach the final.

Alcaraz will notice No.15 seed Jack Draper in his section, the Brit defeated the world No.3 at Queen's Club last June, with American Sebastian Korda another big-stage talent in short distance.

Before the tennis world can dream of an Alcaraz-Djokovic quarter-final showstopper, the 24-time major champion must ignite his title quest with a triumph over American wild card Nishesh Basavareddy first up.

Djokovic, seeded as low as No.7 due to his restricted recent playing schedule, might have to reverse a recent Brisbane International defeat by Reilly Opelka in the Last 32. The champion in Brisbane Jiri Lehecka, the ever-improving Tomas Machac and Grigor Dimitrov can all present their challenge to Djokovic.

No.4 seed Taylor Fritz, US Open runner-up last September, has a reasonably kind draw on paper. Saying that, the American will have Lorenzo Musetti and three-time Australian Open finalis Daniil Medvedev wanting their say in that top half quarter. 

ATP popcorn matches

Plenty of matches leapt off the draw sheet. Matteo Berrettini is back in the groove, but must open in style against former Top 10 talent Cameron Norrie.

Rune has a tricky test with China's 'ZZZ', Zhang Zhizhen, bringing plenty of firepower to the arena.

Can No.11 Stefanos Tsitsipas – the AO 2023 finalist – bounce back from a disjointed 2024 in a duel with NextGen American Alex Michelsen? Australia's Alexei Popyrin and Corentin Moutet is sure to be played out in front of a raucous atmosphere and how about this for French fans, the showman Gael Monfils bringing his abundance of experience in a meeting with No.30 seed Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard!

Keep an eye on…

Brazilian Joao Fonseca, who became #NextGenATP champion in December, is one to watch this year. Already, the 18-year-old has qualified for his maiden Grand Slam main draw in Melbourne. Fonseca can send out a real signal of intent, having been placed in the main draw alongside world No.9 Andrey Rublev.

Australia's Nick Kyrgios has the talent to take down any one. The Wimbledon 2022 runner-up has endured a multitude of injuries and subsequent surgeries since his run at SW19. Will 'NK' recapture his best Down Under? First up he faces Brit Jacob Fearnley and could meet Arthur Cazaux in the second round.

➡️ Click here to see the full draw of the men singles tournament