AO Press Release, December 31, 2024
The Australian Open is set to kick off 2025 with its most exciting Opening Week presented by Herald Sun yet, featuring some of the biggest names in tennis alongside rising stars of the game.
The action-packed series of events at Rod Laver Arena begins on Tuesday 7 January with a charity match and the highly anticipated Red Bull Bassline.
The week continues with a series of double-header charity matches, with some of the biggest stars of the game uniting to raise funds for a range of children’s charities through the Australian Tennis Foundation from Tuesday 7 to Friday 10 January.
Tickets include two matches, commencing at 4pm and 7pm on Tuesday 7 January, and at 5pm and 7pm Wednesday 8 to Friday 10 January.
Tuesday 7 January
4:00pm – World No.1 Jannik Sinner, the reigning AO and US Open champion, will make his first appearance on Rod Laver Arena since lifting the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup in January 2024 to take on Alexei Popyrin, the rising Australian star who plays his best tennis when facing the game’s biggest names.
7:00pm – Red Bull Bassline
Making its Australian debut after great success in Europe, Red Bull Bassline is a fast-paced tie-break tennis event that promises to thrill fans with its high-energy format.
World No.6 Casper Ruud, World No.13 Holger Rune, World No.24 Alexei Popyrin and former World No.4 Kei Nishikori will take to the court soundtracked by beats from a live DJ and on-court commentary from 15-time quad singles Grand Slam champion Dylan Alcott. Two additional players will be announced soon.
Wednesday 8 January
5.00pm – AO 2024 finalist and Olympic gold medallist Qinwen Zheng faces off against world No.23 Elina Svitolina in a fierce singles match.
7.00pm – Australia’s own World No.7 Alex de Minaur will take on reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion, Spanish superstar and world No.3 Carlos Alcaraz.
Thursday 9 January
5.00pm – Reigning AO and US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka joins 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff, World No.2 Alexander Zverev and others in an entertaining mixed doubles match up.
7.00pm – Ten-time AO champion and 2024 Olympic gold medallist Novak Djokovic is back by popular demand for another action-packed Night with Novak charity event. Novak will be joined by friends from inside the tennis world and other sporting champions in a night that will inevitably be full of surprises.
Friday 10 January
5.00pm – Carlos Alcaraz returns to Rod Laver Arena to face rising Aussie star, Alexei Popyrin, whose 2024 highlight reel includes defeating Djokovic at the US Open.
7.00pm – Jannik Sinner returns to Rod Laver Arena to square off against AO finalist and fan favourite Stefanos Tsitsipas in an unmissable showdown.
“The lineup for our Opening Week could not be more thrilling, with reigning champions and top players uniting to raise funds for charity,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said.
“Red Bull Bassline’s debut in Melbourne adds an exciting twist, and I’m confident fans will love its fast and fun format.
“With charity match tickets starting at just $30, we’re making world-class tennis more accessible for kids and families. Opening Week also offers fans unique experiences – from watching the champions of tomorrow in qualifying matches to seeing the world’s best practice up close, and enjoying live music, food, and activities across Grand Slam Oval. It’s going to be an unforgettable start to the AO.”
Tickets for Red Bull Bassline and all AO Opening Week charity matches are on-sale via Ticketmaster.
