What to expect from the 2023 Australian Open season

Australian Open
Rafael Nadal in action

The Australian Open proper gets underway on 16 January 2023 but there will be plenty of other action Downunder.

The full Australian Open summer includes a number of events and starts with the new mixed-team United Cup on 29 December 2022.

Those not in action in the team extravaganza will expect to start their season in Adelaide.

Adelaide 1 will serve as an ATP 250 and WTA 500 event and runs alongside the WTA’s Auckland event and an ATP 250 in Pune, India.

The second Adelaide event mirrors the first in being WTA 500 and ATP 250 and gets underway from 9 January. The ATP Tour has its stop in Auckland in week two, while the WTA touches down in Tasmania.

Also in that week will be the WTA 250 Hobart International.

The first Grand Slam of the year follows with the women’s singles champion to be crowned on 28 January and the triumphant man to get his flowers the next day.

With 128-player fields, it is always tough to pick a Grand Slam winner.

However, the early favourites for the men’s crown are Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.

There will be plenty of outsiders who fancy their chances and the top two Russian men, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev will definitely be among them.

Iga Swiatek is the clear favourite in the women’s field, while Ons Jabeur, Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka and Maria Sakkari are among those favoured to give her a run for her money.

Australian Open season schedule

29 December – 8 January
United Cup
Group Stages (Dec 29-Jan 4) Pat Rafter Arena, Brisbane, Qld; RAC Arena, Perth, WA; Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney, NSW
United Cup Final Four (Jan 6-8): Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney, NSW
Category: ATP / WTA mixed team competition
Draw size: Six groups of three countries, 18 countries in total, up to eight players per country.

1-8 January
Adelaide International 1
Venue: The Drive, Adelaide, SA
Category: WTA 500 / ATP 250
Draw size: ATP and WTA – 32 singles / 24 doubles

1-7 January
Canberra International
Venue: Canberra Tennis Centre, Canberra, ACT
Category: ATP Challenger Tour / ITF W60
Draw size: ATP – 32 singles, 16 doubles; ITF – 32 singles, 16 doubles

January 9-12
Australian Open qualifying
Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Vic
Category: Grand Slam
Draw size: 128 men and women

9-14 January
Adelaide International 2
Venue: The Drive, Adelaide, SA
Category: WTA 500 / ATP 250
Draw size: WTA – 32 singles, 16 doubles; ATP – 28 singles, 24 doubles

9-14 January
Hobart International
Venue: Domain Tennis Centre, Hobart, TAS
Category: WTA 250
Draw size: 32 singles, 16 doubles

10-14 January
Victorian Wheelchair Open
Venue: Hume Tennis Centre, Melbourne, Vic
Category: ITF 1 Series
Draw size: 32 men’s singles, 24 women’s singles, 16 quad singles, 16 boys’ singles

13-18 January
Traralgon Junior International
Venue: Traralgon Tennis Centre, Traralgon, Vic
Category: J1
Draw size: 64 singles, 32 doubles

16 -29 January
Australian Open
Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Vic
Category: Grand Slam
Draw size: 128 singles, 64 doubles

16-30 January
Melbourne Wheelchair Open
Venue: Hume Tennis Centre, Melbourne
Category: ITF Super Series
Draw size: 32 men’s singles, 24 women’s singles, 24 quad singles, 16 boys’ singles

21-28 January
AO Junior Championships
Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne
Category: Junior Grand Slam
Draw size: 64 singles, 32 doubles

24-28 January
AO Wheelchair Championships
Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne
Category: Grand Slam
Draw size: 16 men’s singles, 16 women’s singles, 8 quad singles

READ MORE: Who are the early favourites for the Australian Open

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