The 2025 Australian Open is only a few weeks away, and host country Australia are putting forward one of their strongest contingents of players ever. We breakdown some of the main Aussie title contenders, and look at why 2025 could be Australia’s year at the Australian Open.
- Alex de Minaur
Alex de Minaur is one of those players that has always played super well down under. Much like the French at Roland Garros, Aussies do show up for the event. Most of them grow up dreaming about the Rod Laver Arena, so when you finally get a chance to play there, you have to take advantage of that.
As for De Minaur, he’ll be the brightest hope of many Aussie tennis fans because he’s elevated his game to a new level. He is proper top-10 level, and certainly good enough to make the second week. With heavy crowd support, don’t be shocked to see De Minaur possibly challenge for a semi-final in Melbourne.
- Nick Kyrgios
Another player who is expected to do well in Melbourne is Nick Kyrgios. While his track record might not be the best down under, he’s certainly a capable player who should at the very least put forward a really good showing.
Much will depend on how strong of a level Kyrgios can find after not playing for two years. What makes him more dangerous though is the ability to play doubles with his good mate Thanasi Kokkinakis. The pair have opted to team up again in 2025, having won the event together in 2022.
- Alexei Popyrin
Another Aussie player who will be hoping for a strong in Melbourne is Alexei Popyrin (image below). He found a really strong level in the latter part of 2024, winning the Montreal Masters, and will be hoping to extend that in 2025. What better way to do that than with a strong run at the Australian Open?
The conditions there suit him pretty well and he’s generally been able to find a really good level there in the past. He’ll certainly be a name to watch out for because with the right type of approach and a bit of luck he can easily find himself in the second week of the event.
For anyone betting on the Australian Open, Popyrin to win the whole event currently gives 151.00 | +15000 at the bookies.
- Jordan Thompson
Thompson might not be the youngest anymore but the veteran is probably playing some of the best tennis he’s ever played in recent times, cracking a career-high in 2024.
He’s finally figured out how to maximize his talent, and the second youth he’s enjoying right now has certainly done wonders for his career. Thompson is a prime candidate to cause a few upsets down under and find himself in the second week of the Australian Open.
- Rest of the field
There are lots of Australian players that could do some damage this year, with this being realistically the strongest group of players Australia has had in a very long time.
When we simply look at the top 100 there are currently nine players who are ranked there and all of them will be playing at the event. Each is certainly good enough to win at least one match and possibly even two.
Even beyond the top 100 there are numerous good players such as Kyrgios who is ranked outside of it. Former top 100 players like Max Purcell and Alex Bolt are also capable of winning matches, as are a few of the other players ranked outside of the top 100. Don’t forget the doubles specialist like Ebden.
With Australia’s depth, the host nation could realistically have six to eight players in the third round, and multiple still alive in the second week.
- Women’s chances
The women’s side of the sport doesn’t look as bright as the men’s side for Australia. There is only one player ranked inside the top 100, but there are some really solid players there who will certainly be able to win at least a couple of matches.
Players like Ajla Tomljanovi? and Daria Saville might have lost rankings due to not playing as well but they are more than capable of making a run in Melbourne. Rising talents like Maya Joint and Taylah Preston are also names to watch out for.
While Australia has historically been a tennis powerhouse, they’ve been a bit dormant for a while. In more recent times there is a lot of positive happening, and beginning with the triumph of Ashleigh Barty a couple of years ago. Since then Australian tennis seems to be booming.
What better way to prove that than by having a really strong showing on native soil in front of the home fans.
Have a look at our early best odds for the Women’s Australian Open.
