MELBOURNE (Reuters) – The Australian Open is a hardcourt Grand Slam and the first of four major tournaments of the year. Managed by Tennis Australia, the event was first held in 1905. Here is what you need to know:
WHEN IS THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN HAPPENING?
* The 2023 Australian Open runs from Jan. 16-29.
WHERE IS THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN TAKING PLACE?
* The Australian Open is held in Melbourne every year.
* The three main showcourts at Melbourne Park are Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena.
* Rod Laver Arena is the largest with a capacity of nearly 15,000 spectators and is named after the Australian great and 11-times major winner.
* The John Cain Arena, nicknamed ‘The People’s Court’ due to the atmosphere created by the local fans, has a capacity of 10,300 while Margaret Court Arena seats 7,500.
WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN?
* The top-ranked players automatically enter the main draw with 32 seeds announced prior to the draw to ensure they do not meet in the early rounds.
* Second-ranked Rafael Nadal is the men’s top seed after world number one Carlos Alcaraz withdrew due to injury. Spaniard Nadal is also defending his 2022 title.
* Novak Djokovic is looking to win a record-extending 10th title in Melbourne and equal Nadal’s tally of 22 Grand Slams. The two veterans are among the top contenders for the crown.
* Poland’s world number one Iga Swiatek, the reigning French Open and U.S. Open champion, is the top seed in the women’s draw.
* Swiatek is one of several worthy contenders on the women’s side which will have a new champion after former number one Ash Barty retired following her 2022 triumph.
* Organisers also hand out wildcards for local hopes and notable players who have dropped down the rankings, such as former U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem, who was sidelined for months in 2021 due to injury and is now ranked 99.
WHICH ARE THE KEY FIRST-ROUND AUSTRALIAN OPEN MATCHES?
(Prefix denotes seeding)
* Andy Murray v 13-Matteo Berrettini
* 1-Rafael Nadal v Jack Draper
* 4-Novak Djokovic v Roberto Carballes Baena
* 5-Andrey Rublev v Dominic Thiem
* 6-Felix Auger Aliassime v Vasek Pospisil
* 19-Nick Kyrgios v Roman Safiullin
* 1-Iga Swiątek v Jule Niemeier
* Tamara Zidansek v 2-Ons Jabeur
* 7-Coco Gauff v Katerina Siniakova
WHO ARE THE TOP SEEDS AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN?
MEN
1 Rafa Nadal (Spain)
2 Casper Ruud (Norway)
3 Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece)
4 Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
5 Andrey Rublev (Russia)
6 Felix Auger-Aliassime (Canada)
7 Daniil Medvedev (Russia)
8 Taylor Fritz (United States)
9 Holger Rune (Denmark)
10 Hubert Hurkacz (Poland)
WOMEN
1 Iga Swiatek (Poland)
2 Ons Jabeur (Tunisia)
3 Jessica Pegula (United States)
4 Caroline Garcia (France)
5 Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus)
6 Maria Sakkari (Greece)
7 Coco Gauff (United States)
8 Daria Kasatkina (Russia)
9 Veronika Kudermetova (Russia)
10 Madison Keys (United States)
HOW TO WATCH THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN ON TV
The full list of official broadcasters of the Australian Open in each country can be found here.
* Africa: Supersport, beIN Sports
* Europe: Eurosport, Servus TV, SSR SRG
* Asia Pacific & Oceania: ESPN, Tennis Channel, Digicel, Nine & Stan Sport, CJ Media, Sportcast, Sky, WOWOW, CCTV
* Central Asia: Sony Sports, Eurosport
* India & subcontinent: Sony Sports
* Latin America & Caribbean: ESPN International
* Middle East: beIN Sports
* North America: ESPN, Tennis Channel, TSN / RDS
(Compiled by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
