Melbourne: Novak Djokovic will begin his quest for a record 11th place Australian Open title and 25th Grand Slam crown overall against a qualifier, while top-ranked Iga Swiatek faces a tricky test against 2020 champion Sofia Kenin, after Thursday’s draw.
Djokovic required treatment for a wrist problem during his United Cup defeat to Alex de Minaur last week – his first loss in Australia for six years – and can put that disappointment behind him with a fast start to his major tournament the most successful.
The 36-year-old Serbian could face Greek seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals in what would be a tantalizing rematch of last year’s title clash.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka also faces former world number one Karolina Pliskova.
Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz heads to Melbourne Park for the year-opening Grand Slam which begins on Sunday without any competitive matches under his belt this season, and the Spaniard meets French veteran Richard Gasquet.
The 20-year-old second seed is on course for a quarter-final clash with a rejuvenated Alexander Zverev, who will face fellow German Dominik Koepfer.
Tsitsipas will face Matteo Berrettini in another enticing opening match, while two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev will start against a qualifier.
Italian youngster Jannik Sinner, who is expected to go deep at Melbourne Park, will face Botic van de Zandschulp.
US Open champion Coco Gauff will face Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, while four-time major winner Naomi Osaka returns to Grand Slam tennis for the first time since 2022 and faces France’s Caroline Garcia in a tricky opener.
Osaka, who won the title in 2019 and 2021, only returned to action in Brisbane after spending 15 months on the sidelines and giving birth to her first child in July.
Angelique Kerber, who also returned to the tour after a long maternity break, will face 2022 finalist Danielle Collins in her first match and could face top seed Swiatek in the next round.
Wild card Caroline Wozniacki, another former champion and returning mother, will face 20th seed Magda Linette.
Australian Alex de Minaur, who knocked out Djokovic last week before beating Alcaraz in a charity match, will spearhead the local hopes and begin his campaign against Canadian former world number 3 Milos Raonic.
