MELBOURNE – Get caught up on the Australian Open with a guide that tells you everything you need to know about how to watch the year’s first Grand Slam tennis tournament, what the betting odds are, what the schedule is and more:
How to watch the Australian Open on TV
Recommended Videos
— In the U.S.: ESPN and Tennis Channel.
— Other countries are listed here.
Who is on Friday's schedule at the Australian Open?
The Australian Open men’s finalists will be determined when Novak Djokovic takes on No. 2 Alexander Zverev in an afternoon semifinal on Rod Laver Arena and defending champion Jannik Sinner plays Ben Shelton, a 22-year-old lefthander from the U.S., in a night match. Djokovic and Sinner have been dealing with illness or injuries this week, although not willing to talk about those to any extent. Djokovic hopes to win his unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, where he’s won 10 championships. He needed painkillers after hurting his left leg in the quarterfinal win over over No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz. The Djokovic-Zverev semifinal is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local time (10:30 p.m. Thursday EST). Sinner, who is on a 19-match winning streak, and Shelton, who is into his second major semifinal, will start their semifinal at 7:30 p.m. local time (3:30 a.m. EST). The mixed doubles final will get Day 13 underway at 12 noon local time (8 p.m. Thursday EST). Two all-Australian wildcard teams — Olivia Gadecki and John Peers against Kimberly Birrell and John-Patrick Smith — make it the first all-Australian mixed doubles final at the Australian Open since 1967.
What happened Thursday at the Australian Open?
Aryna Sabalenka is one victory from becoming the first woman since 1999 to win three consecutive Australian Open titles. Top-ranked Sabalenka was a point from going 3-0 down after 10 minutes in her semifinal but recovered to beat good friend Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-2. Sabalenka will face either No. 2 Iga Swiatek or No. 19 Madison Keys for the championship on Saturday. The men's doubles finalists were decided in two tough semifinals. Third-seeded Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori of Italy beat Andre Goransson of Sweden and Sem Verbeek of Netherlands, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, and sixth-seeded Harri Heliovaara of Finland and Henry Patten of Britain beat fourth-seeded Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz of Germany 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7).
What are the betting odds for the Australian Open?
Despite picking up a leg injury in his win over Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic (-165) is listed as a slight early favorite to defeat Alexander Zverev (+135) in the semifinals on Friday, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Jannik Sinner is a big favorite to get to the final, listed at -1600 against Ben Shelton (+875).
What is the Australian Open singles schedule?
— Friday: Men’s Semifinals, Mixed Doubles Final.
— Saturday: Women’s Final, Men's Doubles Final.
— Sunday: Men’s Final, Women's Doubles Final.
Think you’re an expert on the Australian Open?
Let’s see if you know as much as you think you do about the Australian Open. The Associated Press has put together a quiz to test your knowledge — the faster you answer, the more points you get. Try to top the leaderboard.
What do I need to know about tennis and the Australian Open?
Get caught up:
— Key questions for the Australian Open men's semifinals
— American Ben Shelton calls out TV interviewers handling post-match Q-and-As
— Iga Swiatek benefits from a no-call on a double-bounce against Emma Navarro
— Novak Djokovic gets past Carlos Alcaraz and closes in on a 25th Slam title
— Novak Djokovic says he's focused on tennis after getting apologies for TV flap
— The net detaches from the Rod Laver Arena court during Sinner's win over Rune
— Coco Gauff writes ‘RIP TikTok USA’ on a TV camera at the Australian Open
— I love it! Novak Djokovic backs Danielle Collins in her back-and-forth with Australian Open fans
— Australian Open streaming animated feeds to mimic tennis action
— A Grand Slam innovation — the courtside coaches’ boxes in Melbourne
— The Big Three is down to just Novak Djokovic
— There isn’t really any time off for tennis players during their offseason
— Jannik Sinner's doping case will have a hearing in April
How much prize money is there at the 2025 Australian Open?
Total prize money at the Australian Open is rising to a tournament-record 96.5 million Australian dollars (about $60 million). The two singles champions each will receive 3.5 million Australian dollars (about $2.15 million), up from 3.15 million Australian dollars (about $1.95 million) a year ago, but still below the pre-pandemic high of 4.12 million Australian dollars ($2.55 million) in 2020.
Key stats at Melbourne Park
3 — Aryna Sabalenka is the eighth woman in the Open era to reach three consecutive Australian Open singles finals. The list includes Serena Williams, Martina Hingis, Monica Seles, Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova, Evonne Goolagong and Margaret Court.
What was said at the Australian Open?
“If I’ll be able to put myself in the history (books), it’s going to mean a lot. It’s going to mean the world to me.” — Aryna Sabalenka on being one win away from being the first woman since 1999 to win three straight Australian Open singles titles.
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis