Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic to play charity match ahead of Australia Open’s main event

Fans won’t have to wait for the start of competitive Australian Open action to see some of the world’s biggest names on court in Melbourne this January.

The No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings Jannik Sinner, record-10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic and four-time Grand Slam titlist Carlos Alcaraz are among those who will participate in charity matches as part of ‘Opening Week’ at the 2025 season’s first major.

Home favourites Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin, as well as Hologic WTA Tour star and 2023 Australian Open finalist Qinwen Zheng, will also appear in the exhibition series, to be held from 7-10 January inside Rod Laver Arena. The matches will raise funds to support a range of children’s charities through the Australian Tennis Foundation.

The qualifying rounds for the first major of the 2025 season will also take place across ‘Opening Week’, from 6 to 11 January, before main-draw action kicks off on Sunday, 12 January.

World No. 1 Sinner is the defending men’s singles champion at Melbourne Park, where he lifted his maiden Grand Slam trophy at the 2024 edition of the event.