The most prominent seed, Novak Djokovic, started his quest for an 11th Australian Open title on Thursday by drawing a qualifier or fortunate loser. In the third round, he might face fellow Grand Slam winner Andy Murray.
The 24-time major winner from Serbia defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the previous year’s championship match and went on to win the US Open and French Open.
However, the 36-year-old’s debut will be marred by injury after a wrist issue cost him the United Cup, when he was defeated by Australian Alex De Minaur.
With former top-10 Italian Matteo Berrettini as his initial opponent and Djokovic a possible quarterfinalist, Greek seventh seed Tsitsipas will have a difficult task in replicating his 2023 achievement.
Alcaraz squares off against Gasquet.
Second in the world, Spain The only player to defeat Djokovic at a Slam event the previous year and win Wimbledon, Carlos Alcaraz, opens off against French seasoned player Richard Gasquet.
Similar to Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, the third seed and 2021 and 2022 Melbourne finalists, was drawn to the first round as a qualifier.
The Canadian will have a tough first test against former world number three Dominic Thiem, and the Russian might play 27th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the third round.
Iga Swiatek, the top seed from Poland, will make her debut on the women’s side in a thrilling repeat of the 2020 Roland Garros final, which she won over Sofia Kenin, the Australian Open winner heading into that match.
For the winner, there won’t be any relaxation as they will face either 2016 Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber or 2022 Melbourne Park semifinalist Danielle Collins in the second round.
In her first major since giving birth, French 16th seed Caroline Garcia will test twice-champion Naomi Osaka, who also has a difficult challenge ahead of her.
Elena Rybakina, the third seed and runner-up from last year, will square off against former world number one Karolina Pliskova in another exciting match.
Due to her draw against a qualifier, second-seeded and reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka might have an easier time.