The wait for the first Grand Slam of the 2024 season finally comes to an end in the middle of January, as the Australian Open gets underway. It will be the first Grand Slam of the year, with action taking place on the courts at Melbourne Park between January 14 and January 28.
Many of the leading players on the WTA and ATP Tours will be in action Down Under, but which players could be set to land glory in the Australian heat this year?
Australian Open History
The Australian Open is the opening Grand Slam of the tennis season, and it coincides with the Australia Day holiday. The event was previously played on grass courts, but this was altered in 1987. Since 2008, blue Plexicushion courts have been in operation at the Australian Open.
The event was first held in 1905 as the Australasian Championships, before it was renamed as the Australian Open to become one of the biggest sporting events in the Southern Hemisphere. Historically, it is the most-attended of all the Grand Slam events, with a staggering 902,000 people attending the event in 2023.
Men’s Australian Open Preview
The BetXchange odds show Novak Djokovic as the clear favourite for success Down Under this year, as the Serbian is currently priced up at 11/10. Djokovic has been one of the most dominant players in the history of the Grand Slam, winning ten events during the Open Era. His most recent success came last year, beating Stefanos Tstisipas in straight sets.
Carlos Alcaraz is one of the brightest new stars in the world of tennis, and the Spanish star will be targeting a third Grand Slam honour in total this year. However, he is yet to go past the third-round stage at the Australian Open. But, he will be a prominent selection for many this year at 33/10.
Jannik Sinner could be the value angle for many in the betting this year, as the number four player in the world is priced up 13/2, Sinner has been knocking on the door at the Grand Slam events in recent years, and was a quarterfinalist at the Australian Open in 2022.
Men’s Australian Open Prediction
The opening stages of the Australian Open will be key in the men’s competition. However, Novak Djokovic has looked near impossible at the Grand Slam in recent editions, and he appears to be the standout selection once again.
Pick: Novak Djokovic at 11/10 with BetXchange.
Women’s Australian Open Preview
The Women’s Grand Slam events have been more open than the men’s throughout modern history, and that should be the case once again this year. Iga Swiatek is the commanding favourite at the odds available, as the Polish superstar chases a fifth Grand Slam title. However, she could have questions to answer in Australia after falling in the fourth round last year.
The hard courts very much favour Aryna Sabalenka, and that was evident as the star won a first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open last year. She has been ultra competitive in Grand Slam events since the start of last year, reaching two semi-finals and two finals.
Elena Rybakina has already won one Grand Slam title, and she progressed excellently throughout this major last year before losing in the final. She could be primed to go one better after an excellent run of performances in preparation for the Grand Slam.
Women’s Australian Open Prediction
There are no shortage of chances in the women’s draw, with the returning Naomi Osaka boasting a realistic chance after bouncing back to form. However, the standout selection at the prices could be Sabalenka to win a second straight Australian Open title.
