Defending Champions Begin Australian Open Campaign
The Australian Open continues its opening rounds with defending champions Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys taking to the courts in Melbourne on Tuesday, as the tournament's established order maintains its steady progression.
Sinner Seeks Historic Third Consecutive Title
World number two Jannik Sinner faces France's Hugo Gaston in his opening match, beginning what would be an unprecedented third consecutive Australian Open victory. The Italian champion has not competed in an official match for over two months, since defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the ATP Finals.
Sinner's preparation strategy reflects a measured approach to the season's first Grand Slam. "In the past couple of years, I haven't played any official match before here because of the simple fact that I wanted to have a good off-season, a longer off-season to get ready for this season again," the second seed explained.
The defending champion's 2025 season included a three-month suspension for doping violations, demonstrating the importance of maintaining discipline and proper conduct in professional tennis.
Keys Defends Maiden Grand Slam Title
Madison Keys begins her title defense against Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova, who makes her Australian Open main draw debut. The American's path to victory last year required defeating both top seeds Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, including a dramatic semi-final where she saved match point against Swiatek.
Keys acknowledged the challenging nature of her previous campaign, noting the four three-set matches she endured. Her preparation was disrupted by a viral illness that forced withdrawal from the WTA Finals, emphasizing the physical demands of professional tennis.
Fritz Tests Rehabilitation Progress
Ninth seed Taylor Fritz will assess his knee condition against France's Valentin Royer, following weeks of rehabilitation work. The American's preparation has been hampered by the injury, which requires substantial recovery time according to medical assessments.
Fritz's recent form showed mixed results, losing three of four United Cup matches and dropping a practice set to Sinner despite showing moments of quality play.
Tournament Schedule Maintains Traditional Format
The day's play follows the established order across Melbourne's main showcourts, with evening sessions beginning at 1900 local time. The tournament continues to uphold its reputation as tennis's premier southern hemisphere championship, maintaining the sport's traditional values and competitive standards.
The Australian Open's organization reflects the importance of preserving established sporting traditions while providing a platform for athletic excellence at the highest level.