The first Grand Slam of the season, the Australian Open, takes place this month and it promises to be quite a tournament.

Defending champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka are the bookmakers’ favourites but given its position in the calendar – just a few weeks into the new season – the Melbourne event has delivered plenty of surprises down the years.

In this article, we’ll bring you all you need to know about the 2025 edition, including some expert Australian Open predictions.

Australian Open men’s odds

Last year’s winner, Jannik Sinner, starts favourite to successfully defend his title which is no surprise given his superb 2024 season in which he won 73 of his 79 matches and finished as world number one. His closest rival, according to the betting, is Wimbledon and French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz, with 10-time winner Novak Djokovic also prominent in the market. It’s 10/1 bar the front three.

• Jannik Sinner – 6/4
• Carlos Alcaraz – 3/1
• Novak Djokovic – 4/1
• Alex Zverev – 10/1
• Daniil Medvedev – 14/1
• Stefanos Tsitsipas – 28/1
• Taylor Fritz – 28/1
• Holger Rune – 40/1
• Arthur Fils – 50/1
• Alex de Minaur – 50/1

Odds are subject to change and provided by bet365 – correct as of January 8

Australian Open women’s odds

Aryna Sabalenka bids to complete a hat-trick of Australian Open titles this year and you can see why – with her power game, she’s made the last four hardcourt Grand Slam finals, winning three of them. Warmed up for this event with another title in Brisbane. Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff are joint second favourites but it was Gauff who came out on top when they met at the season-opening United Cup and Swiatek’s record in Melbourne isn’t great. Further down the betting, last year’s runner-up Qinwen Zheng will be looking to go one better, while US Open finalist Jessica Pegula also has potential.

• Aryna Sabalenka – 9/4
• Iga Swiatek – 4/1
• Coco Gauff – 4/1
• Elena Rybakina – 7/1
• Qinwen Zheng – 16/1
• Mirra Andreeva – 18/1
• Jessica Pegula – 20/1
• Karolina Muchova – 20/1
• Naomi Osaka – 22/1
• Jasmine Paolini – 28/1

Odds are subject to change and provided by bet365 – correct as of January 8

Betting tips for the 2025 Australian Open

So, what are the best bets for the 2025 Australian Open? Our tennis betting expert ran through the outright markets to highlight his Australian Open tips.

Daniil Medvedev – 14/1

Medvedev has made six of the last 11 Grand Slam finals played on a hardcourt. Three of those have come in Melbourne in the last four years, with the Russian losing last season’s final from two sets up. Having slipped to fifth in the ATP rankings, he’s no longer among the real favourites but that record warrants big respect, arguably more than the odds are giving him. A winter reset should have him refreshed and, at 14/1, Medvedev has definite each-way potential.

🎾 Bet on Daniil Medvedev each way at the Australian Open at 14/1 with SBK 🎾

Aryna Sabalenka – 9/4

Sabalenka looks a solid favourite to retain her women’s title. She’s won three of the last four Grand Slams played on a hardcourt, including here in the last two seasons. Warmed up by winning the Brisbane title, a result which means she has now won 27 of her last 28 matches in Australia. Has the power to beat all-comes and the speedy GreenSet courts of Melbourne suit her game style.

🎾 Bet on Aryna Sabalenka to win the Australian Open at 9/4 with Betfred 🎾

Jessica Pegula – 54/1

For those seeking a bigger price, consider Pegula. The American is a three-time quarter-finalist at this event and for a long time, she was unable to get beyond the last eight at any of the Slams. However, she broke the shackles at last year’s US Open, making the final, and that may have set her free somewhat. Her odds look big.

🎾 Bet on Jessica Pegula each way at the Australian Open at 54/1 with bet365🎾

How to watch the 2025 Australian Open

‘Sleep is for the weak’ is a slogan used a lot during the Australian Open and UK fans certainly need to adapt if they are to watch much of the tournament. With matches beginning at midnight GMT on most days, it’s through-the-night viewing for British tennis fans, either on the Eurosport TV channels or via the discovery+ online streaming service. Both require a subscription. Some bookmaker websites will also offer live streams free of charge.

• Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
• Dates: Sunday, January 12 to Sunday, January 26, 2025
• TV/Streaming: Eurosport (TV) and Discovery+ (online)

FAQ about the Australian Open

1. Who won the 2024 Australian Open?

The men’s singles was won by Italy’s Jannik Sinner. It was his maiden Grand Slam title. Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, captured the women’s singles, winning it for the second year running.

2. Has Sinner won any Grand Slam?

In a word, yes. Jannik Sinner won the 2024 Australian Open and followed that up later in the season by also emerging triumphant at the US Open. He will be seeking his third Grand Slam title in Melbourne over the next fortnight.

3. Will Djokovic play in the Australian Open 2025?

He is expected to. The 10-time champion, now 37 years old, has admitted his main focus these days is Grand Slam titles. Another here would set a new all-time record for either gender of 25. Djokovic warmed up for this event by playing in Brisbane but suffered a shock defeat in the quarter-finals to Reilly Opelka.

4. Will Emma Raducanu play in the Australian Open?

Raducanu plans to play in the 2025 Australian Open but her participation is far from guaranteed following an early-season injury setback. The Briton had been due to play in Auckland but withdrew citing back pain. She has since travelled to Melbourne and has been seen on the practice courts, raising hopes she will be fit to compete.

5. Which player has the most Australian Open titles?

Novak Djokovic holds the record for most Australian Open men’s singles titles having lifted the trophy on 10 occasions. On the women’s side, Margaret Court leads the way with 11 titles in Melbourne. However, her victories spanned the amateur and professional eras. In the latter ‘Open Era’, Serena Williams is the tournament’s most successful player, winning seven times.

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