The Australian Open 2024 is currently underway, showcasing some of the most thrilling tennis matches. The highlight of today’s play features Novak Djokovic, a ten-time Australian Open winner, facing off against the Italian sensation Jannik Sinner. Djokovic, who is pursuing his 25th major title, holds an impressive 33-match winning streak at Melbourne Park. The pair have met three times last year, with Sinner winning two of those encounters. However, he has yet to defeat Djokovic in a grand slam event.
The second semi-final of the day will see Daniil Medvedev, the third seed, take on the sixth-seeded Alexander Zverev in a much-anticipated night session match. Medvedev leads their head-to-head record with 11 wins out of 18 meetings, including a straight-sets victory at the 2023 ATP Finals. Zverev, however, enters this match in top form after defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals.
Today’s schedule for the Rod Laver Arena (all times in GMT) is as follows:
1am: The mixed doubles pairing of Su-Wei Hsieh (Tpe) and Jan Zielinski (Pol) versus Desirae Krawczyk (USA) and Neal Skupski (Gbr). 3.30am (not before): The men’s singles match between top seed Novak Djokovic (Ser) and fourth seed Jannik Sinner (Ita). 8.30am: The men’s singles semi-final featuring third seed Daniil Medvedev (Rus) against sixth seed Alexander Zverev (Ger).
The finals of the Australian Open are scheduled for the weekend, with the women’s final on Saturday, January 27 at 8.30am UK time, and the men’s final on Sunday, January 28 at the same time.
In the UK, Eurosport holds the broadcasting rights for the Australian Open, presenting over 260 hours of live tennis coverage. Fans can watch on Discovery+ with an Entertainment & Sport pass available at £6.99 per month or £59.99 annually. The commentary team this year includes Nick Kyrgios, who is providing insights along with John McEnroe, Barbara Schett, and Laura Robson. They are joined by new host Rachel Stringer from a London studio.
In the United States, ESPN is the official broadcaster for the tournament.
Reflecting on last year’s champions, Novak Djokovic clinched the men’s singles title for a record 10th time by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas, while Aryna Sabalenka won her first grand slam singles title in the women’s draw, overcoming Elena Rybakina in a thrilling three-set match.
The current odds for winning the men’s title are as follows: Jannik Sinner at 10/3, Daniil Medvedev at 5/1, and Alexander Zverev at 8/1. In the women’s category, Aryna Sabalenka is favored at 3/4, with Qinwen Zheng at 5/1.
Regarding British participation, in the men’s draw, Andy Murray and Dan Evans were ousted in the opening round, while Jack Draper exited in the second round. Cameron Norrie made it to the fourth round but was defeated by Alexander Zverev in a close fifth-set tie-break. In the women’s draw, Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter advanced to the second round but did not make it to the third. Jodie Burrage was eliminated in the opening round.
The Australian Open commenced on Sunday, January 14, marking the first time the tournament started on a Sunday.
This year, the Australian Open boasts a record prize money pool of £46.3 million, a 13% increase from 2023. Winners will each receive £1.68 million. Craig Tiley, the tournament director, emphasized the increase in prize money across all rounds, particularly in qualifying and the early rounds of singles and doubles. The goal is to maintain the Australian Open as the starting point of the global tennis season and ensure that players and their teams are well-supported.
Continuing with the Australian Open 2024, this event not only showcases top-tier tennis but also significantly contributes to the sport’s economics and athletes’ welfare. With its increased prize pool, the tournament reaffirms its commitment to players across various stages, ensuring equitable distribution. This approach underlines the Australian Open’s reputation as the “Happy Slam,” a moniker it has earned for its player-friendly atmosphere and top-notch organization. As players vie for glory on the courts, the event continues to enhance its status as a premier fixture in the tennis calendar, attracting fans worldwide with its blend of high-stakes competition and a festive, welcoming environment.