Australian Open 2020: draw, preview, predictions, betting odds, TV and live stream details
First round draw
The first round draw for the 2020 Australian Open pits teenager Coco Gauff against veteran Venus Williams for the second time in 12 months.
Gauff, 15, made headlines when she beat the 39-year-old at Wimbledon and will be hoping to repeat the feat in Melbourne.
Britain’s best hope of glory lies with women’s 12th seed Johanna Konta, who faces Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur. She could face Serena Williams, who may only be seeded eighth but is hunting her 24th Grand Slam title, in the last 16.
In the men’s draw defending champion and No.2 seed Novak Djokovic has been drawn in the same half as six-time former titlist Roger Federer, with a potential semi-final on the cards. World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, who picked up the 2009 title at Melbourne Park, shares the top half of the draw with Daniil Medvedev and Dominic Thiem.
Britain’s Dan Evans, seeded 30, faces American Mackenzie McDonald in the first round, and could come up against Djokovic in the third round.
Bushfires threaten tournament
The Australian Open gets under way on January 20, but preparations are under something of a cloud – literally and metaphorically – thanks to the bushfires that are devastating the country.
Players are increasingly concerned about the air quality in Melbourne, and practice sessions have been postponed because of the smoke that is hanging over the city.
Organisers say they are “constantly monitoring” the air quality but several players have struggled in qualifying.
Slovenia’s Dalila Jakupovic, was forced to withdraw when she collapsed after suffering a coughing fit during her match against Stefanie Vogel.
Britain’s Liam Broady also struggled with the conditions as he lost in qualifying on Tuesday. Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard had problems in her match against world No.210 Xiaodi You but battled through. And Australian Bernard Tomic called a medical timeout due to breathing difficulties as he lost his first round qualifier.
Osaka excited to defend title
Despite the problems with smoke, Australian Open women’s singles champion Naomi Osaka says she is excited to return to Melbourne and defend her title.
The Japanese 22-year-old will come into the event as one of the favourites, but is the No.3 seed behind home favourite Ashleigh Barty and Karolina Pliskova, who are seeded above her.
Osaka, a two-time grand slam champion and world No.3, said: “Defending a title means that you have done well at that particular event in the past – therefore you feel good on the surface and in the surroundings. So really I’m just excited to play.”
Wimbledon champion Simona Halep, US Open champion Bianca Andreescu and seven-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams will also be contenders.
Should Williams win in Australia she would equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 grand slam singles titles.
Nole’s Australian love affair
Men’s defending champion Novak Djokovic will be aiming to win a record eighth title in Melbourne and continue his “love affair” down under.
Serbian Djokovic, 32, said: “I’ve had an amazing ten years in Australia going back to the first grand slam I won in Melbourne in 2008. Ever since then it has been a love affair.”
The men’s big three – Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer – will look to extend their dominance in the Australian slam.
In 2010 Federer, Nadal and Djokovic were the top three seeds in Melbourne. Ten years later Nadal currently sits at No.1 in the world rankings ahead of Djokovic and Federer and the three greats are seeded in that order.
The big three have won 55 of the past 66 major titles, but players such as Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Denis Shapovalov will hope to break the run.
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About the 2020 Australian Open
- What: first tennis grand slam of the year
- When: 20 January-2 February 2020
- Where: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
- Surface: hard courts outdoors
- Defending champions: Novak Djokovic (men’s singles); Naomi Osaka (women’s singles)
Australian Open UK TV and live stream details
The first grand slam of the season will be shown in the UK on Eurosport and a live stream will be broadcast via Eurosport Player. A monthly pass to Eurosport Player costs £6.99.
Australian Open men’s singles seeds
1. Rafael Nadal
2. Novak Djokovic
3. Roger Federer
4. Daniil Medvedev
5. Dominic Thiem
6. Setfanos Tsitsipas
7. Alexander Zverev
8. Matteo Berrettini
9. Roberto Bautista
10. Gael Monfils
11. David Goffin
12. Fabio Fognini
Australian Open women’s singles seeds
1. Ashleigh Barty
2. Karolina Pliskova
3. Naomi Osaka
4. Simona Halep
5. Elina Svitolina
6. Belinda Bencic
7. Petra Kvitova
8. Serena Williams
9. Kiki Bertens
10. Madison Keys
11. Aryna Sabalenka
12. Johanna Konta
Predictions: men’s singles winner
Louis Sealey, Metro: Novak Djokovic
“We’ve become accustomed to seeing Djokovic stamp his authority on the tennis season by winning the Australian Open, and 2020 could be no different. Victory at the Australian Open could well mark the start of another year of dominance for undoubtedly the best male player in the world.”
George Bellshaw, Metro: Novak Djokovic
“Djokovic is always the man to beat in Australia and while hopefully the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev can challenge the old guard, he remains the favourite down under.”
Rod Laver, Australian tennis legend: Roger Federer
“He [Federer] seems to be fine and that’s what counts. If you love the game as much as you do, that’s fine. I also give Roger a very good chance of winning the Australian Open again in Melbourne.”
Todd Woodbridge, Australian former professional: Daniil Medvedev
“I’m going with Medvedev. That run he had through the US Open was just phenomenal. I think he believes, I reckon he thinks he can get into a final and take those guys out. He’s also the most dynamic of that group. He’s going to run all day long, he’s going to keep that ball going.”
Sam Groth, Australian former professional: Novak Djokovic
“It’s easy for me, defending champion Novak Djokovic. He’s having a huge off-season at the moment. We’ve seen footage of him all over social media and all the training he’s doing. He was so devastating in that final last year against Rafa and it’s hard to go past him again.”
Jelena Dokic, Australian former professional: Rafael Nadal
“Rafa won here in 2009, he hasn’t won since, but he’s been in five finals. I feel like he’s been a little unlucky here in Australia, playing well but getting injured. I think he deserves to win more than anyone here. So I’ve got to go with Rafa.”
Vithun Illankovan, Last Word on Tennis: Novak Djokovic
“I do not believe Rafael Nadal has a chance of winning the Australian Open. No man in the Open Era has won every Grand Slam at least twice and I highly doubt the Tennis Gods would allow this to change. On the other hand, I think Novak Djokovic will retain his title. He has won the tournament seven times, which is more than anyone in the Open Era. Therefore, he seems like a safe bet to be victorious once again in Melbourne.”
Tennis Pro Guru: Novak Djokovic
“Everybody will talk about Daniil Medvedev. Is he the one who can break into the ‘three men’ zone? Can he beat Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer? Our answer is clear. His time will come but not in February 2020. Novak Djokovic will be again the winner of the Australian Open. Barring an unexpected injury, he will be prepared to beat anyone.”
Tim Henman, speaking to BBC Sport: Novak Djokovic
“I will go for Djokovic. I think his record is so good down under. He has got enough time for rest and recuperation that he is the man to beat.”
Predictions: women’s singles winner
Louis Sealey, Metro: Bianca Andreescu
“Bianca Andreescu has shown signs she can dominate the women’s game for the next decade. Her preparations for the Australian Open may not be ideal – she has been forced to pull out of Auckland with a knee problem – but you wouldn’t put it past her to still triumph in Melbourne.”
George Bellshaw, Metro: Naomi Osaka
“Like my esteemed colleague, Andreescu was the name rolling off my tongue for the first Slam title of the season but her continued injury struggles have made me think twice so I’ll go for defending champion Naomi Osaka, who looked to be finding her best form again late in 2019.”
Vithun Illankovan, Last Word on Tennis: Bianca Andreescu
“Andreescu in my eyes is Naomi Osaka 2.0, similar but new and improved. Both won Indian Wells and the US Open in their breakthrough seasons and I expect Andreescu to continue to follow in Osaka’s footsteps by backing up her US Open title with an Australian Open title straight afterwards.”
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Australian Open winner betting odds
Men’s singles champion
- Novak Djokovic: 6/4
- Rafael Nadal: 7/2
- Daniil Medvedev: 8/1
- Roger Federer: 9/1
- Stefanos Tsitsipas: 12/1
- Dominic Thiem: 14/1
- Alexander Zverev: 33/1
- Nick Kyrgios: 40/1
- See the full price list at Oddshecker.com
Women’s singles champion
- Serena Williams: 11/2
- Ashleigh Barty: 7/1
- Naomi Osaka: 8/1
- Simona Halep: 10/1
- Bianca Andreescu: 11/1
- Karolina Pliskova: 14/1
- Aryna Sabalenka: 20/1
- Elina Svitolina: 20/1
- See the full price list at Oddshecker.com