How to watch on TV, betting odds and more information

MELBOURNE – Get ready for Australian Open Before you start playing, you’ll receive a guide that will tell you everything you need to know about how to watch the first series this year Tennis Grand Slam tournament, what are the bookmaker odds, what is the schedule, who are the defending champions and more:

When is the Australian Open draw? When do the matches start?

The draw to determine the men’s and women’s singles brackets will be held on Thursday in Australia (Wednesday EST). The time in Melbourne is 14 hours later than on the east coast of the United States, so when play in the tournament’s main draw begins on Sunday morning in Australia, it will be Saturday evening in New York. Generally, matches start at 11:00 a.m. local time (7:00 p.m. the night before EST), and night sessions begin at 7:00 p.m. local time (3:00 a.m. EST).

How to watch the Australian Open on TV

— In the US: ESPN and Tennis Channel.

— Other countries are listed here.

What are the betting odds for the Australian Open?

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, defending champions Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner are among the favorites to win the Australian Open. Sabalenka, who won each of the previous two Australian Opens and the U.S. Open in September, is +225. She is followed by 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff at +300. Next at +500 is Iga Świątek, who has five Grand Slam titles but none at the Australian Open, and 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina is at +800. Sinner, whose first Grand Slam trophy was won a year ago at Melbourne Park and his second at the US Open, is listed at +140, ahead of four-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz at +333 and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic at +450 . In fourth place, Alexander Zverev dropped with a score of +900.

Where is the Australian Open held?

The Australian Open is played on outdoor hard courts at Melbourne Park. Women play three-set matches; men play until three wins. There are separate day and night sessions. The event lasts 15 days. The three largest courts have retractable roofs: Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena.

Who will be the top seed at the Australian Open?

The top-seeded woman will be Aryna Sabalenka, and the top-seeded man will be Jannik Sinner.

What is the Australian Open singles tournament schedule?

— January 12-14: First round (women and men)

— January 15-16: Second round (women and men)

— January 17-18: Third round (women and men)

— January 19-20: Fourth round (women and men)

— January 21-22: Quarterfinals (women and men)

— January 23: Women’s semi-finals

— January 24: Men’s semi-finals

— January 25: Women’s final

— January 26: Men’s final

Who are the defending Australian Open champions?

Aryna Sabalenka won her second consecutive title at Melbourne Park in 2024, defeating Zheng Qinwen In the final 6:3, 6:2. Jannik Sinner eliminated 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, then came back to defeat Daniil Medvedev in the final 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.

Think you’re an Australian Open expert?

Let’s see if you know as much about the Australian Open as you think you do. The Associated Press gathered the information a quiz that will test your knowledge — the faster you answer, the more points you get. Try to get to the top of the leaderboard.

What do I need to know about tennis before the Australian Open?

Get caught:

— Novak Djokovic says he still feels “trauma” as he travels to Australia amid deportation

— Defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner had an eventful 2024

— Iga Świątek agreed to serve her suspension for doping last season

— Coco Gauff will win the title at the last major women’s tournament in 2024

— Jenson Brooksby spoke to the AP about autism ahead of his first Grand Slam tournament in two years

— Aryna Sabalenka added the 2024 US Open trophy to Melbourne Park’s last two titles

— Rafael Nadal has joined fellow Big Three member Roger Federer in retirement

How much prize money is there for the 2025 Australian Open?

Total prize money at the Australian Open rises to a tournament record A$96.5 million (approximately $60 million). The two singles champions will each receive A$3.5 million (about $2.15 million), up from A$3.15 million (about $1.95 million) a year ago but still below the pre-pandemic highest amount , which was A$4.12 million ($2.55 million) last year. 2020.

Key stats at Melbourne Park

3 – Aryna Sabalenka will be trying to win a third consecutive women’s singles title at Melbourne Park, something last achieved by Martina Hingis between 1997 and 1999.

24 – Number of Grand Slam singles titles won by Novak Djokovic, tying Margaret Court for the most in tennis history. One more will give Djokovic sole possession of the record.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis