The top favorites, names to watch, and possible draws for the 2025 Australian Open

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The Australian Open 2025 is here. The most anticipated event in the tennis world has arrived in a big way, with the vast majority of top contenders already in Melbourne. It will be a special event, with very few injuries and various storylines emerging as we look ahead to a season that could confirm the generational shift experienced in 2024 on the ATP circuit.

Can Jannik Sinner defend his crown in his first Grand Slam title defense? Will Carlos Alcaraz become the youngest player in history to win all four Majors? Can Novak Djokovic claim his 25th major trophy, with Andy Murray by his side and ending the winning streak of the circuit's two young prodigies? Will there be a surprise winner? Many questions arise and we analyze them just hours before a crucial draw.

SINNER, THE TOP CONTENDER; ALCARAZ AND DJOKOVIC, UP AGAINST THE ITALIAN

It is almost impossible not to label Jannik Sinner as the top contender in any Grand Slam on hard court. It is his natural habitat, where his lateral movements flourish, his surgical precision in returning serves, his serve, and his wonderful control of balance/risk on the court. He arrives with all the rest in the world, perched at the top of the world rankings, seemingly unfazed. However, the Italian will experience the pressure of defending a Grand Slam title for the first time.

Before the draw reshuffles the deck, the Italian is the number one candidate, also due to his strong performances in the early stages of Grand Slams. No one seems more consistent and less likely to suffer an upset than him; Carlos Alcaraz emerges as the number two candidate. Australia is where he has the weakest record in Grand Slams, but adjustments made in the offseason (adding five grams to a racket to gain better control of points and add more power to his forehand) show that motivation and ambition are at their peak.

We know what the young Spaniard is capable of; to top it off, he is the only player with a positive head-to-head record against Sinner in 2024, demonstrating in places like Beijing that he can also beat him on hard courts. This may be his best credential: a favorable draw, without many threats in the first week, could give him the relief and breathing room needed to challenge the Italian (an environment he has already proven to handle).

Behind them lies the king of this domain. No one has dominated more decisively than Novak Djokovic, who is eager to bounce back from an inconsistent 2024 and a recent failed experience. His start in Brisbane was not promising, raising doubts from 2024 as he appeared a bit slower and less explosive, but if there is something Djokovic excels at, it is mastering the Grand Slams. He has unrivaled expertise in these events, a factor that seems stronger than his recent past. However, physical issues and doubts place him slightly behind Jannik and Carlos.

ZVEREV, EYEING THE FIRST MAJOR; MEDVEDEV AND COMPANY, AIMING TO SURPRISE

The fourth contender seems to be Alexander Zverev, who had back issues at the United Cup but enters 2025 with the confidence gained last year. His consistency and outstanding performances against the top three contenders are strong arguments for a player who still needs to prove himself in the later stages of a Grand Slam. Australia provides an excellent setting for his powerful serves and flat shots, especially when he hits parallel shots. However, a single outstanding performance like the one against Carlos in 2024 won't be enough, as the circuit has shown that to win a Major, you must overcome at least two giants.

Also in the mix is an overlooked Daniil Medvedev, who has dropped out of the top 4 but is an expert at playing in Melbourne. This Grand Slam has been challenging for him, and perhaps his under-the-radar status this year, along with his recent fatherhood and much-needed break in recent weeks, might work in his favor. However, a lot will depend on the draw, which could match him, as it did in 2024, with Sinner and Alcaraz on his side, or alternatively with Zverev and Fritz.

In the second tier are players who might capitalize on a concentration of stars in one section of the draw. Alex de Miñaur will seek to surpass his previous best with the support of the local crowd, Casper Ruud aims to prove past slow starts are behind him, Taylor Fritz wants to redeem himself from his highest historical position, and names like Grigor Dimitrov, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, or Tommy Paul, look to revive their past strong performances in Melbourne.

SURPRISE CONTENDERS AND PLAYERS TO WATCH

Further down the list are players nobody wants to face. The drastic turnaround of Hubert Hurkacz after a strong showing at the United Cup against Fritz inspires confidence; also, the power of Jiri Lehecka, a specialist in the Australian swing (his two titles and only Grand Slam quarterfinal came in January). Looking further, potential third-round matchups for the favorites are filled with real threats, from Tomas Machac to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, including giant killers like Popyrin or the unpredictable Cerúndolo or Aliassime.

Moreover, beyond the top seeds, there are real threats that could cause upsets in the early rounds. Jakub Mensik displayed his credentials last year, and his progression suggests he is a danger in any circumstance; players like Nico Jarry, Matteo Berrettini, or Jan-Lennard Struff can be formidable with a strong serving day, Pablo Carreño or Alejandro Davidovich aim to return to top form, and the qualifiers could introduce talent from players like Joao Fonseca, Mattia Bellucci, or Martín Landaluce. In essence, the world's best racquets are ready for the Australian Open, with enough rest and freshness to deliver top-quality performances. Tennis was missed... and the first course of 2025 promises to be exceptional. Don't miss it.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los principales favoritos, nombres a seguir y posibles cuadros del Open de Australia 2025