What’s All The Fuss About the Australian Open?

Everyone’s talking about the AO, but how much do you know?

Whether you’re a fan of the Australian Open or aren’t into sport at all, it can be impossible to escape the flood of updates, news and results that creep onto our feeds.

I will openly admit I know nothing about one of the biggest sporting events in Australia, so I’ve put together this piece to give you a quick run-down on what the Australian Open is, and who this year’s favourites are.

Who Are The Faves?

So who is everyone hoping to win this year?

CBS Sports reports that Novak Djokovic is the favourite to win this year’s men’s singles – he has won nine the Australian Open titles so far in his career. There was drama last year with Djokovic being deported just before the 2022 Australian Open due to being unvaccinated against COVID-19, and therefore not complying with Australia's entry requirements at the time. Now that's he's back, fans are keen to see him claim his tenth Australian Open title this year.

Listen to the noise 🙌

The 9x champion is back!@DjokerNole • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/4zVMHeK3sk

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2023

Australia's Nick Kyrgios was another favourite to watch this year until he recently pulled out due to a knee injury. Kyrgios won the men's doubles at last year's Australian Open with Thanasi Kokkinakis, so the hype to see him win the doubles again and potentially see him win his first singles title has turned into disappointment.

The favourite to win this year’s women’s singles title according to ESPN experts is current world No.1 Iga Świątek. “She has won so much in the past 12 months, including winning two of the past three Slams”, says ESPN expert Mary Joe Fernandez.

The Australian Open.

Melbourne Park has been home to the Australian Open since 1988, and is held every January. The first tournament was held in 1905 and was a men’s only event called the Australasian Championships. The tournament only became known as the Australian Open in 1969.

The Grand Slam.

The Australian Open is one of four tournaments (also known as ‘majors’) that make up the Grand Slam. The Roland Garros (the ‘French Open’), Wimbledon and the US Open are played in the same calendar year, and players to win all four majors is referred to as a Grand Slam champions.

A Grand Slam has only been achieved six times by five different players – Australia’s Rod Laver is the only player to have won the Grand Slam twice.

Australian Open Trophies.

The Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup is a large silver trophy awarded to the winner of the women’s singles, and is named after the late five times singles champion Daphne Akhurst.

The Norman Brookes Challenge Cup is awarded to the men’s singles winner – named after the late Australian tennis champion Sir Norman Brooks.

The winners of the Australian Open take home a smaller replica trophy. The Norman Brookes Challenge Cup replica takes more than 800 hours to create.

Image: Australian Open

So now you know a little bit more about the Australian Open, will you be watching?