2025 Tennis Grand Slams: Key Dates and Players to Watch

After an exciting year of tennis tournaments across the world, the end of the US Open marked the final Grand Slam of 2024. World Number 1, Janik Sinner took the men’s singles title while Aryna Sabalenka won her third Grand Slam in the women’s singles. Incidentally, Sinner and Sabalenka’s wins on the hard were both their second Grand Slams of the season with both previously having won the Australian Open in January. With 2025 fast approaching, will the pair be able to repeat their impressive campaigns? Here at Engage we take you through all you need to know for the 2025 Tennis Grand Slams calendar!

Australian Open 2025, 6th-26th January

First up on the Grand Slam calendar will be the hotly contested Australian Open. Taking place on the hard courts of Melbourne Park, the best stars in tennis will travel from across the world in the hope of kicking off their 2025 with a Grand Slam.

In the men’s singles, Janik Sinner saw off former World Number 1, Novak Djokovic before beating Daniil Medvedev in the final having been 2 sets down. It was the Italian’s first Grand Slam win and a breakthrough victory that had been on the cards for a while, upsetting favourite Novak Djokovic in the process.

Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka was victorious in the women’s singles after beating Coco Gauff in the semi-final before facing up to Chinese star Qinwen Zheng in the final. Sabalenka won in straight sets conceding only 5 total games to Zheng, capping off a dominant final and defending her Australian Open title.

French Open 2025, 25th May-8th June

A long break between Grand Slams awaits players between the Australian Open and the French Open, however, the four month gap is certainly worth the wait as players take to the clay at the iconic Paris venue. More commonly known as Roland-Garros, this iconic tournament has taken place in the French capital since 1891 boasting winners such as Rafael Nadal, Bjorn Borg, Steffi Graf and Serena Williams.

In 2024, it was Carlos Alcaraz who won the men’s singles title. After a close fought battle with Sinner in the semi-finals. The Spaniard came out on top before beating Alexander Zverev to win his third Grand Slam and his first of 2024.

As far as the women’s singles was concerned, it was a comfortable victory for World Number 1 Iga Świątek defeating Jasmine Paolini in straight sets. With the win, Świątek claimed her fourth Roland-Garros title and her fifth Grand Slam to establish herself as one of the greats. Astonishingly, she only lost one set across the entire tournament! It was another agonising semi-final defeat for Coco Gauff as she fell victim to the Pole’s dominance on the clay.

Can Świątek produce yet another title on the clay in 2025?

Wimbledon 2025, 30th June-13th July

Perhaps the most prestigious tournament, 2025 will see Wimbledon take place once again in London. The grass tournament that has taken place since 1877 has seen the best of tennis over the years and will continue to do so in 2025. In possibly the biggest Grand Slam, will we see one of the usuals take the title or will there be an upset in 2025?

In 2024, Carlos Alcaraz made it two Grand Slams in a row as a spectacular display saw him defeat former World Number 1, Novak Djokovic in straight sets. The Spaniard looked unstoppable capitalising on the Serbian’s bad day and his own impressive form to win consecutive Wimbledon titles. It was an upset that perhaps marks the start of a new era in tennis after Djokovic’s brilliance for so many years.

Meanwhile, the women’s singles saw an unexpected result as Barbora Krejčíková took victory in a tense final. Krejčíková who has had a difficult season due to injury won only her second Grand Slam to add to her French Open title from 2021. Unfortunately for Jasmine Paolini it was another final defeat as the Italian came up short once again. She will be eager to challenge for the honours in 2025 and redeem herself in both competitions.

US Open 2025, 25th August-7th September

The final Grand Slam of the season comes in the form of the US Open as players will battle it out for the final major of the year in New York. In what is expected to be a thrilling spectacle, the best players from all over the world give it their all in the hope that they can come away with a Grand Slam title at the end of the season.

This year saw Jannik Sinner claim his second title of the year winning straight sets in both the semi-final and the final. The Italian beat home-favourite Taylor Fritz in a dominant contest at the Arthur Ashe Stadium showing no mercy in front of the American crowd. It will be an interesting battle between Sinner and Alcaraz next season and where the Grand Slam titles will go in 2025 as they look to be the next players to conquer men’s tennis.

Aryna Sabalenka claimed her second title of the year, also defeating a member of the host nation, Jess Pegula, in straight sets. It’s difficult to say who will dominate women’s tennis in 2025 but both Sabalenka and Świątek certainly make a good case for it. However, they will be wary of Paolini and Gauff amongst others where the World Number 1 spot is less stable than the men’s game.

Four Grand Slams, four countries, eight individual winners. Who will take the honours in 2025 in what is expected to be another thrilling year for tennis? Can Jannik Sinner cement himself as World Number 1? Will Aryna Sabalenka be able to overcome Iga Świątek and regain the number 1 spot? Find out from the best seats in the house, with Engage offering all of the best hospitality at the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open!

Sinner wins US Open as Djokovic’s wait goes on

The final Grand Slam of the year came to a close at the weekend and it was Jannik Sinner who stole the show in New York as he won the US Open. The world number one was imperious as he held no prisoners en route to his second major title of 2024.

Meanwhile, it was a tournament to forget for Novak Djokovic. The 37-year-old continues to wait for his record-breaking Grand Slam win and he’ll now be twiddling his thumbs in anticipation of his next opportunity in Australia in January.

Sinner cements world number one spot

Having spent the last three months at the summit of the world rankings, it was fitting that Sinner came out on top in the final Grand Slam of the year. The Italian won his second major title of his career – and of 2024 – after defeating Taylor Fritz in Sunday’s final.

Sinner kicked off the year with his maiden Grand Slam win at the Australian Open and he continued his hardcourt dominance with a phenomenal tournament at Flushing Meadows, dropping just two sets en route to glory.

While it would be cruel to diminish Sinner’s achievements, he was fortunate that the likes of Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz failed to reach the latter stages. In fact, of the four semi-finalists, Sinner was the only player to have ever reached a major final.

Fritz’ previous best was a quarter-final while Jack Draper, Sinner’s victim in the final four, had only ever reached the fourth round. The British youngster defied the odds to reach the semis and despite coming unstuck against the eventual champion, losing in straight sets, he proved he’s got a bright future ahead of him.

On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka lifted the women’s trophy to claim her third Grand Slam. Just like Sinner, she claimed the first and last major of 2024 after winning in Melbourne at the start of the year.

Sabalenka saw off hometown star Jessica Pegula in the final in straight sets and was never truly troubled throughout the tournament, dropping just a solitary set in the third round. Pegula also lost just one set in the competition and looked strong as she reached her first Grand Slam final.

The 30-year-old beat world number one Iga Swiatek in the quarter-final, meaning the Polish star ends 2024 with just one Grand Slam in the form of the French Open. But she crashed out in the third round of both the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year and she’ll be desperate to assert her dominance on a more regular basis next year.

Djokovic’s wait goes on

Rewind a year and Djokovic had just won the US Open, taking him level in the all-time Grand Slam rankings alongside Australian legend Margaret Court with 24 major titles. Yet the elusive 25th win continues to evade the Serbian and his wait to establish himself as the undisputed greatest of all time goes on.

Perhaps exhausted by his triumphant gold medal success at the Olympics, Djokovic was far from his best at the US Open. The four-time winner crashed out in the third round against Australian Alexei Popyrin, whose exit in the fourth round was his best ever Grand Slam finish.

Remarkably, ignoring tournaments that Djokovic has missed, this was the first time he’s failed to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final since 2020 and just the fifth time since 2009. While he has no plans to retire just yet, he may be starting to wonder if he’ll ever claim the record before he calls it a day.

Similarly, Alcaraz endured a tournament to forget at Flushing Meadows. The Spaniard was targeting a third consecutive Grand Slam win after winning both the French Open and Wimbledon this year. But he fell at the second hurdle, losing in straight sets to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.

Much like Djokovic, Alcaraz has played a lot of intense tennis in recent months and he claimed a silver medal at last month’s Olympics in Paris. They’ll be disappointed with their US Open displays and both players will be determined to bounce back quickly.

What’s next in the world of tennis?

The next Grand Slam takes place in Australia in January but before then, we’ve got the small matter of the ATP Finals in Turin. Djokovic is the reigning champion after claiming a record seventh title last year with a win in the final against Sinner.

Following that, we head to Melbourne for the Australian Open. Djokovic will undoubtedly be desperate to win but he’ll have to stop the in-form Sinner from claiming his second consecutive title. Meanwhile, Alcaraz will be looking to win the tournament for the first time.

The French Open gets underway at the end of May and Alcaraz will be looking to defend his crown. He’s a different beast on clay and you can catch him in action from the best seats in the house with our exclusive hospitality packages.

And after a warm-up tournament at Queen’s Club, tennis returns to Wimbledon at the end of June. You can enjoy a quintessential British experience, full of Pimms, strawberries and the greatest tennis players on earth by watching the action in style with Engage.

Carlos Alcaraz retains Wimbledon crown as Djokovic wait goes on

Wimbledon is over for another year and after two weeks of thrilling tennis, we have our champions. Carlos Alcaraz strolled to another title as he blew away Novak Djokovic, who is still waiting for his record-breaking Grand Slam win. Meanwhile, Barbora Krejčíková went all the way in the ladies’ competition to win Wimbledon for the first time.

Alcaraz blows Djokovic away

Alcaraz won the hearts of the Wimbledon faithful a year ago as he stormed his way to the final. The fresh-faced Spaniard recovered from an embarrassing 1-6 first-set defeat against Djokovic to win in five sets and claim his first SW19 title.

Fast forward 12 months and the two superstars met again in a repeat of the previous final. It was clear that Alcaraz has matured massively over the last year. No longer the new kid on the block, he looked fitter, stronger and even more determined to prove he’s the next big star of tennis.

And that was evident in his game throughout the contest. In his semi-final win over Daniil Medvedev, Alcaraz made notable errors, with some strange shot choices and uncharacteristic mistakes that showed his inexperience. Yet there were none of those in the final as he smashed Djokovic around the court, dominating from start to finish.

You’d have been forgiven for thinking that it was Alcaraz who had 24 Grand Slam titles to his name when looking at the scoreboard. The 21-year-old raced into a two-set lead, winning both 6-2. While Djokovic recovered and attempted a comeback in the third, Alcaraz showed resilience to stay in the game and take it to a tie break.

But from then on there was only going to be one winner. After claiming the third and final set to whitewash his Serbian opponent, Alcaraz was jubilant, momentarily losing his bearings as he got lost during his climb into the stands to celebrate with his team.

It was Alcaraz’s fourth Grand Slam title and his second in a row after claiming the French Open last month. He’ll now have his sights firmly set on winning an Olympic gold medal before the US Open at the end of summer.

When will Djokovic break the Grand Slam record?

Djokovic was humble in defeat but privately he’ll be fuming that his wait for a record-breaking Grand Slam goes on. The 37-year-old has been stuck on 24 major titles for almost a year, having failed to win the previous three.

He’s level at the top of the all-time standings with Australian icon Margaret Court and his next Grand Slam will take him to 25 wins, making him the undisputed greatest of all time.

Djokovic’s Wimbledon dreams looked to have fallen into place perfectly this year. He avoided Alcaraz and world number one Jannik Sinner’s side of the draw, while his quarter-final opponent Alex de Minaur pulled out with injury, giving him a vital extra few days to rest.

But despite a favourable campaign, Djokovic looked lost against Alcaraz. His recent knee surgery was an obvious disadvantage, with his joint support on show throughout, while perhaps his age is finally catching up with him as he just wasn’t able to match the speed and power of the youthful Alcaraz.

He’ll go again at the US Open next month as he looks to win the competition for the second year running and finally claim the Grand Slam record. But if he doesn’t get it over the line soon, he may start to wonder if it will ever happen.

558020 Jannik Sinner (ITA) playing against Novak Djokovic (SRB) in the semi-final of the Gentlemen's Singles on Centre Court at The Championships 2023. Held at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Day 12 Friday 14/07/2023. Credit: AELTC/Jonathan Nackstrand

Wimbledon Debentures

Another new ladies’ champion

While we’re used to seeing the men’s singles title at Wimbledon dominated by the same usual suspects, it couldn’t be further from the truth for the ladies. Since Serena Williams last won back in 2016, there have been seven different female champions in a row.

The latest victor to be added to the list is Krejčíková, who beat Italian counterpart Jasmine Paolini in a thrilling three-set final on Saturday. Krejčíková was ranked 31st in the world before the tournament but she now has a second Grand Slam to her name having won the French Open three years ago.

The 28-year-old joins a long list of successful Czech women at Wimbledon. Nine-time winner Martina Navratilova was born in Prague, although later became an American citizen. The late Jana Novotna was also Czech, as is two-time winner Petra Kvitova and unlikely 2023 champion Markéta Vondroušová.

The end of an era

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Andy Murray waved an emotional goodbye to Wimbledon in the opening week of the championships. Sadly for the Scot, he didn’t get a final crack at the men’s singles as he prioritised the doubles competitions following back surgery.

He teamed up with brother Jamie in the men’s doubles but the pair crashed out in the first round following defeat to Australian duo John Peers and Rinky Hijikata. Following the match, Murray shared an emotional goodbye in an interview with Sue Barker, as tennis legends from all eras gathered to witness it.

That defeat wasn’t supposed to be his final farewell, with a mixed doubles campaign planned with Emma Raducanu. But when the 2021 US Open champion pulled out, it spelled an end to Murray’s Wimbledon career.

The 37-year-old is set to retire later this year, claiming that his injury-ravaged body can’t cope with high-level tennis any more. Murray claimed two Grand Slams on home soil in a glittering career, winning Wimbledon in both 2013 and 2016.

And while we won’t be seeing him strut his stuff on court any more, it may not be the last we’ve seen of him. Murray made it clear during his BBC interview that commentary isn’t for him. However, he didn’t rule out coaching and that may well be his next career move.

The best days to go to Wimbledon

The wait is over – the greatest tennis competition on earth is back. The start of Wimbledon today means we’re set for two weeks of Pimm’s, strawberries and cream, quintessential British culture and the best tennis players in the world.

Carlos Alcaraz is looking to defend his crown after shocking Novak Djokovic to claim his maiden title at SW19 a year ago. Meanwhile, there was another shock as Marketa Vondrouvosa became the first ever unseeded player to go all the way in the ladies’ competition.

Ahead of the third Grand Slam of 2024 and a fortnight of thrilling action, here’s everything you need to know.

Who are the big hitters playing?

As Djokovic looks to become the undisputed greatest player of all time by winning a record 25th Grand Slam, he’ll be relieved to be on the other side of the draw to French Open winner Alcaraz, meaning they can’t meet until the final.

Alcaraz claimed his third Grand Slam in Paris earlier this month after beating Alexander Zverev in an action-packed five-set final. The Spaniard has been tipped to become the next superstar in tennis and a title defence at Wimbledon would certainly help his cause.

Djokovic’s first round match sees him face Vit Kopriva, while Alcaraz has been drawn against Mark Lajal. Murray is set to play at Wimbledon for the final time but his tournament is in jeopardy following recent surgery. The two-time champion will make a late decision ahead of his match against Tomas Machac.

There will be no Rafael Nadal at this year’s Wimbledon. The 2008 and 2010 champion, who has been plagued with injuries in recent years, is prioritising staying fit for the Olympics, which gets underway next month.

Elsewhere, world number one Jannik Sinner will face Yannick Hanfmann. On the ladies’ side of the draw, Iga Swiatek faces a tricky test against 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenen, while Emma Raducanu meets Ekaterina Alexandrova.

What is the best day to go to Wimbledon?

You’re guaranteed a great time whatever day you go to Wimbledon (unless it’s raining!) but to see as much tennis action as possible, going in the first week is advised as there will be non-stop action on all courts.

The grounds will be packed full of spectators on all days, although you may find it’s slightly less busy on weekdays. The schedule for each day is released the night before, meaning you’ll be able to plan your day if there are particular matches that you want to see.

The likes of Alcaraz, Sinner, Raducanu and Coco Gauff are all playing today, although they’re on centre court. For those with ground passes, you’ll be able to see Heather Watson play Greet Minnen on court 18, while fellow Brit Liam Broady faces Botic van de Zandschulp on court 12.

Djokovic, Murray, Swiatek and 2023 champion Vondrousova get their tournaments underway on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Murray and brother Jamie are scheduled to start their doubles campaign on Wednesday against Australian duo John Peers and Rinky Hijikata.

How long do you have to queue for?

If you’ve not been to Wimbledon before, you may have heard tales of the infamous queue. While the majority of tickets for the show courts have to be bought in advance, anybody is free to buy a ground pass, which allows you to walk around the grounds and watch matches on courts 3 – 18.

The only catch is that you’ll need to queue in order to get in. The grounds open at 10am each day, with play starting at around 11am – but the queue starts long before then. You’re free to join the queue at any point, with many people opting to camp the night before to guarantee entry.

Each day, there are 500 tickets available for centre court and courts 1 and 2. Following that, those in the queue will gradually be able to buy ground passes until capacity is reached. Once all ground passes have been purchased, a ‘one in, one out’ policy is enforced.

How much are Wimbledon tickets?

If you’re lucky enough to get centre court tickets, prices start from just £70 and gradually increase as the tournament progresses. No. 1 court prices start from £40, while court number 2 tickets start from £50. For the first eight days of the championships, ground passes cost £30, although they decrease in the second week as games become less frequent.

Wimbledon hospitality

If you’d rather skip the queue and watch the tennis from the best seats in the house, you’re in the right place. We offer hospitality for every day of the tournament, including both the men’s and ladies’ finals.

Engage offers four different hospitality packages, each offering bespoke food and drink options, as well as plenty more. If you fancy joining us, enquire today to book your place.

How to get there

Wimbledon is easily accessible by train, with Southfields station just a 15-minute walk away. Alternatively, Wimbledon station is 20 minutes away by foot and both stations are served by the District Line.

For those driving, limited parking is available and pre-booking a space is recommended.

Can Alcaraz Win The Cinch Championships?

The conclusion of the French Open on Sunday marked the end of the second tennis Grand Slam of the year. Carlos Alcaraz took victory over Germany’s Alexander Zverev, as the Spaniard claimed his 3rd Grand Slam. The next Grand Slam of the year, and perhaps the most famous, will be Wimbledon; where Alcaraz will look to defend his 2023 title. However, before that, the Cinch Championships will take place with some of the world’s best expected to attend as they make their final preparations for Wimbledon.

What are the Cinch Championships?

The Cinch Championships, or more commonly known as ‘The Queen’s Club Championships’, is one of the most famous events on the men’s ATP World Tour and is the longest running tournament on the circuit. The tournament takes place every year and is hosted at The Queen’s Club in West Kensington, London. The famous venue has played host to an array of different sports over the years including athletics, rugby, football and even staged the 1908 Olympics. Now predominantly a tennis venue, The Queen’s Club has hosted the championships since 1890.

Winners of the competition include Boris Becker, Pete Sampras, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, and to win would put you amongst impressive company. Taking place from the 15th-23rd June, tennis fans can expect a stellar entry list with world renowned names expected to attend the West End venue. But who will add their name to the Roll of Honour this year?

Contenders

Winner in 2023 and having recently won his 3rd Grand Slam, Carlos Alcaraz will be back to defend his title. The World Number 2 will be keen to defend his title in front of a British crowd as he will be looking to put himself in good stead for Wimbledon in a few weeks time. At only 21 years old, the Spaniard’s win at Roland Garros made him the youngest player to have won a Grand Slam on all three surfaces. Roland Garros was also his second tournament win of the year after victory at Indian Wells back in March defending his 2023 title. Alcaraz will be looking to bolster his confidence for the third Grand Slam of 2024.

Alcaraz will be challenged by Grigor Dimitrov, Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur all of whom pose a real threat to the Spaniard’s title hopes. Dimitrov is World Number 10 and he will be hoping to cause an upset in London, while Taylor Fritz also looks to challenge. Alex de Minaur may be Alcaraz’s most dangerous opponent. The Australian has wins this year against Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andrey Rublev as well as both Fritz and Dimitrov. Keep an eye on the 25-year old to see if he can raise some eyebrows before Wimbledon.

British Names to Look Out For

In terms of the British contingent, Cam Norrie and Jack Draper are both set to take part. Norrie is yet to reach the heights of his 2022 season where he reached the Wimbledon semi-final and the World Top 10. Currently, ranked 39th in the world, can he turn his season around just in time?

Draper is ranked just one place behind Norrie at the moment in 40th place. The 22-year old made a name for himself at this competition in 2021, defeating Janik Sinner and reaching the quarter-finals before being defeated by Norrie.

Dark Horses

Carlos Alcaraz is the favourite to defend his title at the Queen’s Club next week but could we see an underdog beat the Spaniard to the trophy? Tommy Paul could be an unlikely winner after claiming his second title at the 2024 Dallas Open as well as reaching the semi-finals in the Italian Open and the Masters 2024 BNP Paribas Open. Can the American cause an upset with only his third ever title?

Sebastian Korda could also spoil Alcaraz’s plans of a win. Korda was the 2023 semi-finalist and will be looking to make amends for his defeat last year. Korda won the men’s doubles title at the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open with Jordan Thompson claiming his first ATP level doubles title, while also performing well at the Dubai Tennis Championships, knocked out by World Number 6, Andrey Rublev, in the quarter-finals. His confidence will be high when he travels to London this weekend.

A very strong entry list and one that could produce an unlikely winner, who do you think will be crowned champion? Can Alacaraz continue his impressive form and defend his title? It is an opportunity for players to give themselves confidence before Wimbledon next month and it is a great opportunity to see the world’s best in action. Want to watch your favourite players from the best seats in the house? Check out Engage’s range of hospitality options for tennis including the Queen’s Club Championships, Wimbledon and the Olympic Games!

Rafael Nadal targets one last dance at the French Open

Grand Slam fever is in full swing, with the French Open getting underway this week before being swiftly followed by Wimbledon. Novak Djokovic will be hoping one of those iconic tournaments will finally secure him the all-time Grand Slam record, but there will be plenty of competition standing in his way.

Carlos Alcaraz is the new kid on the block and he’ll be looking to continue his dramatic rise. Meanwhile, Roland Garros legend Rafael Nadal will be desperate to wave goodbye to the famous clay in style.

Whatever happens, this year’s French Open promises to be another spectacular event and you can watch every ball in style with Engage’s exclusive hospitality packages. Enquire today to enjoy the greatest players on the planet from the best seats in the house.

Nadal seeks romantic farewell

As Nadal prepares to say adios to the sport this year, he faces a battle to be fit for one last dance with an old flame. The Spaniard has dominated the French Open throughout his career en route to being crowned the ‘King of Clay’.

Nadal has won a record 14 titles at Roland Garros, eight more than Björn Borg, his next men’s challenger in the open era. And with this set to be his final appearance at his spiritual home, it would be fitting that he bowed out with a 15th win in Paris and his 23rd Grand Slam title.

But even before you consider the likes of Djokovic and Alcaraz, the main hurdle standing in Nadal’s way is his own fitness. He’s missed much of the last two years with persistent hip problems and he was forced to miss the Australian Open earlier this year.

The 37-year-old is one of the best to ever do it and it’s scary to imagine how much greater his legacy could have been had he not been blighted by injuries. Now in the twilight of his career, he’s ranked 276th in the world.

He reached the round of 16 at the recent Madrid Open, where he was beaten in straight sets by Jiri Lehecka before suffering a similar fate in just the second round at the Italian Open. But while he may have been holding back in those games, there’s no doubt he’ll leave everything on the court in Paris.

The form book will be ripped up if he wins his race to play and despite his recent form, injuries and lowly rank, you can bet your bottom dollar that the likes of Alcaraz and Djokovic are secretly hoping somebody else will deal with Nadal before they have to face him on the courts where he made his name.

Djokovic chases elusive record Grand Slam

Since winning the US Open back in September, Djokovic has had his eye on a record-breaking Grand Slam win that would make him the undisputed greatest player of all time.

The Serbian has won 24 major titles and is currently level at the top of the standings with women’s great Margaret Court. He could have edged ahead of the Australian legend by claiming the first slam of the year in Melbourne but he lost out to eventual winner Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals.

Djokovic will fancy his chances at finally clinching his long-awaited record in the coming weeks but he’ll have to do it at his least fruitful event. The 37-year-old has won just three of his 24 major titles in Paris, although two of them have come at the last three French Opens, including in 2023 where he beat Casper Ruud in straight sets.

Standing in his way will no doubt be Sinner, who looks set to help Alcaraz dominate tennis when Djokovic and Nadal hang up their rackets. The Italian’s win in Melbourne was his first Grand Slam and he’ll be confident of adding to it, although he has struggled in Paris, with a quarter-final defeat in 2020 his best ever finish.

Alcaraz remains the favourite to win the title, with the Spaniard hoping to follow in compatriot Nadal’s footsteps. The rising star stunned Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon final to claim his second Grand Slam and with another year of experience under his belt, he’ll take some beating at Roland Garros.

Can Świątek be stopped?

World number one Iga Świątek is the clear favourite to win the women’s title and for good reason. The Polish star has won the competition three times since 2020, including last year when she saw off Karolína Muchová in the final.

Aged just 22, Świątek has already won four Grand Slam titles and she doesn’t look like slowing down. Since a disappointing third round defeat at the Australian Open in January, she’s gone on to win the Qatar Open, the Indian Wells Masters, the Madrid Open and the Italian Open.

The most recent of those wins came in Rome last week and she swept all before her, beating Coco Gauff in the semis before defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Those two are expected to be her nearest challengers but they’ll struggle to lay a glove on her on recent form.

Tennis: Novak Djokovic crashes out of Indian Wells

While it wasn’t the most damaging defeat of his career, Novak Djokovic will be slightly frustrated at his early exit from Indian Wells.

The Serbian lost to 20-year-old Luca Nardi in the third round to continue his barren run in 2024. He’s yet to win a tournament this year, which isn’t ideal preparation for the remaining Grand Slams.

The quarter-finals get underway on Thursday and Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner is the favourite to go all the way. He’s yet to drop a seat in the tournament and he comes up against Jiri Lehecka in the final eight.

Should he progress, the likes of Daniil Medvedev will be standing in his way, as will Carlos Alcaraz, who won the tournament a year ago. Andy Murray was also among the stars to take to the court at Indian Wells but the Brit was beaten by Andrey Rublev in round two.

On the women’s side of the draw, world number one Iga Świątek is in good stead to claim her second title. She comes up against Caroline Wozniacki in the quarter-finals.

Świątek could face stiff competition from Coco Gauff, who is strong on home soil having claimed her first Grand Slam at last year’s US Open. Both Indian Wells finals take place on Sunday.

Can Medvedev defend his Miami crown?

There won’t be much time for recovery from Indian Wells as all the big hitters will be flying east for the Miami Open. Djokovic will be in action and the six-time winner is looking to go all the way for the first time since 2016.

Having looked strong at Indian Wells so far, Medvedev will be confident of defending his crown having seen off Sinner in the final a year ago. Sinner, meanwhile, will be desperate to turn his fortunes around. The Italian has lost two of the last three finals in Miami.

Murray is also set to take part and will harbour dreams of adding a third title to his collection, having won in 2009 and 2013. However, Rafael Nadal is unlikely to make it following his decision to pull out of Indian Wells.

Świątek’s only Miami title came two years ago and a strong finish at Indian Wells will put her in a strong position for the competition in Florida. Reigning champion Petra Kvitová is out of action for the foreseeable future as she prepares to have her first child.

Gauff is looking to win the tournament for the first time, while Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka is also on the entry list as she looks to continue her strong start to 2024.

Grand Slams are just around the corner

While the tour tournaments are coming thick and fast, all eyes will be on the two Grand Slams on the horizon. The French Open gets underway in May and having missed out in Australia, Djokovic is looking to become the most successful player of all time.

Nadal has made Roland Garros his playground in recent years, winning the French Open an incredible 14 times. He’ll want to play more than anything this year but as he struggles for fitness, there are fears that he’ll call time on his career if he misses out. On the women’s side, Świątek has won three of the last four French Open titles and she’ll be the favourite to go all the way this time.

Up next after the competition in Paris is the warm-up to Wimbledon at Queen’s Club, before one of the most iconic tournaments in world sport returns to SW19. Djokovic is targeting an eighth title having missed out to Alcaraz last year.

Elsewhere, Markéta Vondroušová shocked the world last summer as she became the first unseeded Wimbledon champion when she beat Ons Jabeur in the final.

Australian Open: Sinner claims first Grand Slam

The Australian Open title and Novak Djokovic have almost become synonymous in recent years but remarkably, the Serbian didn’t even make the final this time around.

Just as Carlos Alcaraz made the headlines for his stunning win at Wimbledon last summer, there’s a new kid on the block in Melbourne. Remember the name: Jannik Sinner.

The Italian stormed to his first Grand Slam win following a dominant few weeks in Australia. In fact, his impressive semi-final display condemned Djokovic to a first defeat at the tournament in six years.

Elsewhere, Aryna Sabalenka picked up where she left off a year ago and she now has her eyes firmly set on Iga Świątek’s crown as the queen of tennis.

Sinner claims maiden Grand Slam

There’s never a bad time to claim your first Grand Slam and Sinner has started 2024 in style as he dominated for much of the tournament. Alongside Alcaraz, there are hopes that the 22-year-old can build on this and start a new era in tennis once Djokovic and Rafael Nadal call it a day.

Sinner dropped just one set on his way to the final – a narrow tie-break against Djokovic – and he reacted superbly to come back from two sets down to stun Daniil Medvedev in the final.

History repeated itself for Medvedev, who also lost a two-set lead against Nadal in the 2022 final, and he’s now tasted defeat in three of the last four Australian Open finals.

Sinner has gone from strength to strength in the last year and has now won 20 of his last 21 matches. He’s emerged as one of the biggest threats in the men’s game following a first semi-final at Wimbledon last year, where he was beaten in straight sets by Djokovic.

Djokovic made to wait for record-breaking Slam

Ahead of the tournament, Djokovic was looking to make history and become the all-time leading Grand Slam winner. The 36-year-old is currently tied on 24 major titles with Australian legend Margaret Court.

He looked to be on his way to a fifth Australian Open title in six years as he stormed to the semi-finals, dropping just three sets in the process. But Djokovic was swept aside by Sinner, who claimed the first two sets 6-1 and 6-2 before finishing the job in the fourth.

It was Djokovic’s first defeat at the Australian Open in 2,195 days and put an end to an incredible 33-match winning run at the tournament. The loss to Sinner was his first in Melbourne since 2018 and it was the first time in his career that he failed to create a break point in a Grand Slam match.

Djokovic has been hugely critical of his performances throughout the tournament and he’ll be more determined than ever to claim his record-breaking Grand Slam title at the French Open later this year.

Sabalenka strolls to Australian Open title defence

In the women’s tournament, Sabalenka claimed her second successive Australian Open title as she saw off Qinwen Zheng in the final.

In fact, the Belarusian won every single set on her way to glory and Coco Gauff in the semi-final was the only opponent to take more than three games off her in a single set.

It was only Sabalenka’s second Grand Slam win and puts to bed a successful but ultimately frustrating 2023. She followed up last year’s Australian Open win with semi-final defeats at both the French Open and Wimbledon before losing the US Open final to Gauff.

She’ll now want to build on this and rival world number one Świątek to be the best female player on the planet. Świątek was the pre-tournament favourite to triumph in Melbourne but she unexpectedly crashed out in the third round at the hands of Czech player Linda Nosková.

Can Novak Djokovic make history at the Australian Open?

As the days get colder and the nights get darker in the UK in January, we’ll all be looking on with envy as the stars of world tennis jet off to sunny Melbourne for the Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic won the men’s title earlier this year and he could make history by defending his crown next month. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka holds the women’s title and faces a tough test to keep it.

Djokovic targets record-breaking Grand Slam

After winning three Grand Slams this year, Djokovic is looking to add another one to his collection as he heads down under next month.

The Serbian is the most successful men’s player in history, with a stunning 24 Grand Slam titles. He’s currently level with Australian legend Margaret Court, meaning one more slam will take him top of the all-time standings.

Of all the tournaments for Djokovic to break the record, he couldn’t have picked a better one. He’s made Melbourne Park his playground in recent years, winning 10 of the last 16 Australian Open titles.

Djokovic’s last win came earlier this year and he continued his phenomenal year by securing the French and US Opens. It would have been a perfect year for him if it wasn’t for Carlos Alcaraz, whose Wimbledon triumph stopped him from claiming a fourth Career Grand Slam.

Like a fine wine, Djokovic appears to be getting better with age. Despite being 36, he’s showing no signs of slowing down nor given any indication that he’s ready to hang up his racket.

Who can stop Djokovic in Australia?

After spoiling Djokovic’s party at Wimbledon, Alcaraz could delay the record being broken by going all the way in Australia as he targets a third Grand Slam.

Despite a remarkable couple of years since breaking through, Alcaraz has never progressed past the third round in Melbourne and he’ll be looking to finally make his mark this time around.

Despite being just 20 years old, Alacaraz’s dominant displays at Wimbledon showed a maturity beyond his years and he’ll likely be the biggest threat to Djokovic’s crown.

Next month’s Australian Open will see the return of Rafael Nadal, who endured a nightmare 2023 riddled with injuries. Nadal has won the tournament twice, with his most recent title coming in 2022 where he defeated Daniil Medvedev in the final.

He was looking to defend his title earlier this year but his hip injury saw him succumb to a second round exit in straight sets at the hands of Mackenzie McDonald. Nadal has since had treatment for his injury and he’s looking to return in style in what could be his final year in tennis.

Elsewhere, two-time Australian Open finalist Medvedev is looking to win just his second Grand Slam. He lost two consecutive finals in Melbourne in 2021 and 2022.

Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner is another future star that could challenge. The 22-year-old reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon this summer and despite losing in straight sets to Djokovic, he showed huge potential.

Iga Swiatek seeks another Grand Slam title

World number one Iga Swiatek is the favourite to go all the way in Australia. The 22-year-old secured her fourth Grand Slam title back in June as she overcame Karolina Muchova to win the French Open.

She’ll be looking to win the Australian Open for the first time, with her best previous showing coming last year where she fell short against Danielle Collins in the semis.

Swiatek will face stiff competition from 2023 champion Sabalenka. She came from a set down to beat Elena Rybakina in the final earlier this year. Sabalenka has enjoyed a strong 2023, having also reached the US Open final, as well as the final four at Wimbledon and the French Open.

Rybakina should perform well again as she looks to avenge her defeat in the final last time out. Meanwhile, Coco Gauff could also challenge. The 19-year-old has a bright future ahead of her and she claimed her maiden Grand Slam this year as she won the US Open on home soil. She’ll be looking to improve her Australian Open record having never progressed past the fourth round.

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WTA End of Season Review

As the dust is beginning to settle on another fantastic WTA season, we take a look back at some of the best bits in the world of women’s professional tennis singles from 2023.

From maiden Grand Slam victories to three set battles, it was another wonderful and highly entertaining year in the women’s professional tennis season.

Sabalenka Triumphs Down Under

Back in January, the opening Grand Slam of the year took place in Australia and was a fantastic fortnight to kick off the tennis majors in 2023. Ashleigh Barty’s retirement, coupled with Angelique Kerber and Naomi Osaka’s absence due to pregnancy, left the 2023 women’s tennis draw very open, with Victoria Azarenka and Sofia Kenin as the sole former champions. Their paths crossed in the first round, where Azarenka emerged victorious in straight sets.

After two weeks of very highly competitive tennis, the final took place between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. In what was a titanic battle, Sabalenka secured her first major singles title with a score of 4–6, 6–3, 6–4. Sabalenka’s impressive performance throughout the tournament included dropping just one set, which happened during her championship match against Rybakina.

Świątek Defends in France

Iga Świątek, the defending champion, secured her third French Open title and fourth major title overall by defeating Karolína Muchová in a thrilling final with a score of 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 at the 2023 French Open. Świątek’s remarkable achievement made her only the third woman in the Open Era, following in the footsteps of Monica Seles and Naomi Osaka, to win her first four major finals. Additionally, she became the youngest woman to achieve this feat since Serena Williams in 2002.

Świątek also etched her name in history as the first player to successfully defend the French Open title since Justine Henin in 2007 and the first woman to defend a major title since Serena Williams at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships. Throughout the tournament, Świątek displayed exceptional form, dropping just one set in her path to the title, which happened during the final against Muchová.

Vondroušová Creates History in SW19

Markéta Vondroušová achieved a historical victory at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships by defeating Ons Jabeur in the final with a score of 6-4, 6-4. This triumph marked her first major singles title and her first title overall in six years. Vondroušová’s remarkable journey to the Wimbledon title included several historic achievements.

Vondroušová became the first unseeded female player to win the Wimbledon title, a feat not seen since Billie Jean King reached the final in 1963. Furthermore, her world ranking of #42 made her the second lowest-ranked finalist since the establishment of the WTA rankings in 1975. Winning the Wimbledon title also propelled Vondroušová into the top ten of the WTA rankings for the first time in her career.

Gauff Causes US Frenzy

Coco Gauff’s impressive victory at the 2023 US Open marked a significant moment in her career. She defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the final with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, clinching her first major singles title. Gauff’s achievement made her the first American teenager to claim the US Open title since Serena Williams did so in 1999.

Gauff also joined a select group of teenagers who won the US Open in the past five years, following in the footsteps of Bianca Andreescu in 2019 and Emma Raducanu in 2021. Notably, Aryna Sabalenka’s performance to reach the semi-finals meant that she became the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach at least the semi-finals in all four major tournaments during a single season.

Świątek Ends the Year on Top

The WTA Finals is the season-ending championship of the WTA Tour and took place in Cancun, Mexico this year. The tournament holds a prominent position in the annual tennis calendar, following the four major tournaments. This event showcases the elite eight singles players and the top eight doubles teams, who qualify based on their season-long performance.

In what was a highly competitive week of fantastic tennis, the Polish Iga Świątek came out as the victor, regaining the world ranking of #1 at the same time. Świątek dispatched American Jessica Pegula 6-1 6-0 in just under an hour in what was a flawless performance. In winning the tournament and finishing the week undefeated, Świątek pocketed $3,780,000 as a monetary prize, in addition to 1,500 points towards her WTA ranking.

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