The 2025 tennis season is about to start, and fans of the game couldn’t be happier. The first major tournament of the year, the Australian Open, is set to begin on January 12. All the rivalries, revenge tours and title defense campaigns established during the 2024 season will soon begin for real.
In truth, tennis’ official off-season is practically non-existent, but we’re not complaining. After the US Open, the last slam of the year, we watched the WTA and ATP Finals, (congrats to winners Coco Gauff and Jannik Sinner) as well as the international competition of the Davis and Billie Jean King Cups. (Italy’s team won both events. Bravo!)
Shortly after we welcome the new year, the tennis world will set its sights on Melbourne, Australia—the home of the ‘Happy Slam,’ as the Australian Open is affectionately known. How did it earn this reputation? What sets this tournament apart from the rest? Let’s take a look down under and figure out what this exciting event is all about.
The Australian Open was first played in 1905. Commercial flights to and from Australia wouldn’t become commonplace until much later, so the tournament didn’t attract a global playing field right away. While it was officially dubbed a ‘major’ tournament in 1923, on equal footing with the major tournaments of England, France and the United States, it still didn’t quite resemble the Australian Open as we know it today. The tournament has been played at more than 12 sites throughout Australia, including Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, and even in neighboring New Zealand before finding a home at the Melbourne Lawn Tennis Club from 1972 to 1987. Yes, the tournament was played on grass during those years. In 1988, initial construction of the large sports complex known as Melbourne Park was completed, and it became the site of the Australian Open as we know it today. The courts are hard, covered in a surface known as Green Set which is actually blue. This surface is like the hard courts of the US Open in New York, but has actually been rated as faster, meaning the ball moves more quickly after a bounce.
As for its Happy Slam nickname, the Australian Open can thank Roger Federer. According to tennis lore, the champion coined the term because he enjoyed the warm climate and friendly people of Australia, as well as the vibe at the tournament itself. He also won the AO six times which might have something to do with it. Said happy vibe might be even more so this year, as the ‘party court’ will be back in action. This two-story venue overlooks Melbourne Park’s Court 6 and features a large Courtside Bar, a DJ and quite the rowdy atmosphere. It opened last year and quickly became infamous with some players complaining about the noise and distraction. Despite a bit of player grumbling, the party court was instantly popular and is going to be even bigger, with expanded tennis viewing areas and a rooftop bar. (Anyone heading to the 2025 AO will surely want to check it out, just to see what all the fuss is about, of course.)
Leaning into a party atmosphere is apparently working. In 2024, the Australian Open welcomed over one million attendees, earning itself the title of the most well-attended Grand Slam tournament. Perhaps Wimbledon should take note—it welcomed just over 526,000 guests in 2024. Of course, Wimbledon is still known as the most prestigious major tournament, and it’s unlikely that its hallowed grounds will be featuring a two-story bar with loud music anytime soon, and that’s just fine. You do you Wimbledon, we love you just the way you are, with all of your posh traditions, grass courts and white clothes.
As for the rest of the lineup, the US Open, also a rowdy, late-night party at times, was ranked just behind the AO in attendance numbers, and the French Open came in third last year. Vibe check: the US Open was the place to be—fashionistas, sports stars and all manner of celebrities joined the crowds there. On the flip side, the tournament director of the French Open had to ban alcohol in the stands as several spectators became disruptive. Mon dieu! Let’s hope the French fans keep it together in 2025. Overall, the news was excellent for the game--tennis tournament attendance was up across the board last year in keeping with the marked growth in tennis’ popularity. Let’s hope the trend continues!
Now for predictions and player updates. At the first Grand Slam of the year, everyone is technically undefeated. But the competition quickly begins to take shape, even after day one. Upsets, anyone? What to keep in mind for the AO 2025: Aryna Sabalenka is the defending champ and current number one women’s player. She also won the US Open in September. She has a lot to prove and to play for, hoping to defend her title and stay at the very top of the game. How will she handle the pressure? In more disturbing news, number two player Iga Swiatek failed a drug test in late 2024 and served a one month ban from competition. She maintains her innocence, blaming a contaminated legal supplement. The tennis world will be watching to see how this might affect her as the new season begins.
Fans will also have an eye on Coco Gauff as the new year begins. She just won the WTA Finals for 2024 and is riding high. Two-time AO champ Naomi Osaka is working with Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena’s Williams’ former coach, so it will be interesting to see if that partnership bears Grand Slam fruit. Former Wimbledon champ Elena Rybakina has hired Novak Djokovic’s former coach, Goran Ivanisevic. Safe to say he knows what he’s doing—it will be exciting to see how this partnership plays out.
While Rafael Nadal has officially retired, Novak Djokovic, 37, remains on tour. Big news from his camp—retired British champ Andy Murray will be coaching Djokovic in the new year. Will these former rivals be able to work as a team? Hmmm… And sadly, defending champ Jannik Sinner also tested positive for a banned substance, although he will play in the Australian Open. His pending case is not scheduled to be reviewed until after the tournament is played. He has maintained his innocence. Stay tuned.
The Australian Open naturally garners lots of excitement as chapter one of the year’s tennis season. It truly sets the stage for the rest. So many stories to unfold--first-time champions to be crowned, reigning champions to hold fast? Exciting stars will emerge and legacies will grow or fade. No one knows yet, but we’ll be glued to the Happy Slam to see how it all begins anew under the bright sunshine.
