The sun is shining. The temperature is approaching unbearable levels. This must mean the Australian Open is just around the corner.
The first major tournament of the tennis season is always a favorite among fans and players.
But neither the players nor the supporters arrive at Melbourne Park cold.
Before the Australian Open begins on January 12, no less than five tournaments will take place across the country.
ABC Sport will live blog all the action from January 27 until the end of the Australian Open on January 26, providing a month of in-depth coverage from courts across the country.
But what are these events? Where are they ? And who plays it?
It should be noted that all player lists are subject to change, given how often players withdraw from preparatory tournaments to be in top shape for the Australian Open.
Plain cut
Last year, Germany won the United Cup, beating Poland in the final. (Getty Images: Brendon Thorne)
This is the third edition of the team eventand will take place at Perth Arena Since December 27 to January 1 And Sydney Ken Rosewall Arena Since December 29 to January 5 including three of the four quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
Some 18 countries with both men and women players will compete in six groups of three teams, nine in each city.
Australia are in Group F, based in Sydney, alongside Great Britain and Argentina.
Germany, defending champion are in Group E based in Perth, where they will meet Brazil and China.
Teams will play a men’s and women’s best-of-three singles match, followed by a mixed doubles match.
The winner of each group will play in the quarter-finals, alongside the best finalist from each city.
Six of the ten best players in the world will participate, including number two Iga Swiątek, former Australian Open finalist Elena Rybakina (6) and American Coco Gauff (3).
The men’s peloton is also strong, notably with the German world number two. Alexander ZverevAmerican number four Taylor Fritz and sixth Casper Ruud.
Australia’s charge will be led by world number nine Alex de Minaurwith Omar Jasika (179) the other men’s singles player on the list, as well as the women’s rising stars Olivia Gadecki (96) and Destanee Aiava (167).
Doubles specialists Matt Ebden And Ellen Pérez complete the list.
Brisbane International
Elena Rybakina will not return to defend her title. (Getty Images: Chris Hyde)
The Brisbane International takes place from December 29 to January 5although qualifying starts two days earlier than that at the Queensland Tennis Centre.
The women’s WTA500 event and the men’s ATP 250 event will take place simultaneously, with the champions both being crowned on January 5 at Pat Rafter Arena.
Four players from the top 10 participated in the women’s draw, including world number one and consecutive reigning Australian Open champions Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula (7), Emma Navarro (8) and Daria Kasatkina (9).
The men’s peloton is billed as one of the strongest ever assembled, with 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic aims for his 100th title at ATP levelplaying in Brisbane for the first time since 2009.
It’s been 16 years – and 23 Grand Slam titles – since Novak Djokovic last played at the Brisbane International. (Getty Images: Ezra Shaw)
Djokovic, apart from his Olympic gold medal in Parishas had a pretty mediocre 2024, failing to win a major tournament for the first time since 2017, so he will be desperate to turn things around.
He will face the reigning champion Grigor Dimitrov (10), Holger Rune (13) and Frances Tiafoe (18).
Australia will be well represented in the draw, with the inclusion of Nick Kyrgios the undoubted highlight, as he makes his long-awaited return from injury, having last contested a ranking event in June 2023.
Kyrgios said he and Djokovic would team up in doubles this year too, adding another level of intrigue to the Sunshine State tournament.
Alexei Popyrin And Jordan Thompson — who will be keen to resume his role as giant killer on Pat Rafter Arena after his exploits in beating Rafael Nadal last year – will also participate in the ATP event, while Ajla Tomljanovic received a wildcard to compete after his own injury spell.
Canberra International
Cruz Hewitt will play at the Canberra International this year. (Getty Images: Éditions futures/Chris Putnam)
The Canberra International Tennis Center will host an ATP Challenger Series stage and WTA125 tournament to allow rising stars to practice ahead of Australian Open qualifying.
The Canberra International will take place from From December 29 to January 4.
Organizers are touting this year’s edition as having one of the strongest fields in the event’s history, with 10 players in the top 100 for both men and women.
Cruz Hewitt and reigning champion Dominique Koepfer are ready to compete, as is the American world number 52 Jenson Brooksby.
The male picture is highlighted by France Hugo Gaston (world number 76), the Argentinian Facundo Diaz Acosta (79) and Indian number one Sumit Nagal (98).
The women’s draw will see the Hungarian number one Anna Bondar (93 years old), Montenegrin Danka Kovinić (95) and Nuria Párrizas Díaz (99) all in competition.
Adelaide International
Jelena Ostapenko will face serious opposition if she wants to defend her title. (Getty Images: Sarah Reed)
The Adelaide International will welcome a host of big names to Memorial Drive between January 6-11.
The WTA500 women’s tournament is expected to host 13 of the top 20 women, including Jasmine Paolini (4), Jessica Pegula (7), last year’s Hobart champion Emma Navarro (8), Daria Kasatkina (9) and Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejčíková (10).
Fairy tale Wimbledon Champion 2023 Marketa Vondroušová and former world number two Ons Jabeur will also appear, as will nine other players from the top 20, including the reigning champion Jelena Ostapenko (15), Danielle Collins (11), Paula Badosa (12).
In the men’s ATP250 event, the top 20 ranked players Tommy Paul (12) and Lorenzo Musetti (17) headlining the action, with local favorites Thanasi Kokkinakis And Jordan Thompson should also appear.
Olympic gold medalist Matt Ebden will also play in Adelaide, participating in the doubles tournament.
Hobart International
The Domain Tennis Center is one of the most picturesque in the world. (Getty Images: Steve Bell)
The Hobart International returns for its 30th year, from January 6-11 at the Domaine Tennis Center.
This WTA-only event features nine players in the top 50, including the two-time winner and the beaten finalist in 2024. Elise Mertens (33).
Former world number three and 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens will also line up in Hobart alongside fellow American Amanda Anisimova (36).
There is no hope in action in Tasmania, but New Zealand Lulu Soleilwho made a surprise march to the quarter-finals of Wimbledon last year, will be hoping to have a good run as she returns from her home tournament in Auckland the previous week.
And the Kooyong Classic?
There will be no play at Kooyong this year. (Getty Images: Mike Owen)
The Kooyong Classic, which started when the Australian Open moved to the new Melbourne Park venue in 1988will not take place in 2025.
Other tournaments will take place in the region before the Australian Open, including the ASB Classic in Auckland, the WTA250 event taking place from December 30-January 5 and the men’s ATP250 ranging from January 6-11.
Among the women, we find some big names, including double Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka And Winner of the 2021 US Open Emma Raducanu.
There is also an ATP250 event at Hong Kong Since December 30-January 5.
Australian Open
Qualifying for the Australian Open, with Cruz Hewittstarts the From January 6 to January 11.
This will include Cruz Hewitt, Bernard Tomic and former world number one Simona Halepamong others.
From January 12 however, attention will turn to the season-opening grand slam.
Full coverage of the Australian Open will be available on the ABC Sport websitewith a daily blog capturing all the action from all the courts every day.
Alternatively, live radio coverage will be available on the ABC Listening App Or online.
You can also watch coverage on Channel 9, 9Now or Stan Sports.
