Welcome to our coverage of the 2024 Australian Open draw.
Slams are unwinnable today, but it is a momentous day for the world's best tennis players as they reveal just how treacherous their path to glory has been.
The draw will take place at 1pm AEST from Melbourne Park, and we'll be bringing you all the news, fixtures and what it means for Australia's main favorites as soon as they happen.
1.25 pm: A tough match for the Devils in the first round
Australian Alex de Minaur has not been served any favors despite entering the Australian Open with the highest seed and ranking of his career.
He will face the dangerous world No. 10 Milos Raonic in their first-round clash, with the big-serving Canadian putting in a very tough showing from the start.
Meanwhile, compatriot Jordan Thompson will face Matteo Berrettini, a former Australian Open semi-finalist.
1.20pm: The Australian women hit hard in the draw
It's been a tough day for Australian women.
Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic will face Croatia's Petra Martic in her opening match, but on other courts the encounter was carnage.
Tayla Preston and Kim Birrell took on seeded players Elina Svitolina and Jelena Ostapenko, while Oliva Gadecki took on dangerous floater Sloane Stephens.
1.10pm: Osaka wins the first round
Naomi Osaka returns to Australia with a strong first-round match against 16th seed Caroline Garcia.
Also among the most prominent matches in the first round were Angelique Kerber and American Danielle Collins.
The winner there will likely face Swiatek, if she gets past Kenin
“It's full of Australian Open champions or finalists,” says former Australian star Casey Delacqua.
“It's a delicious division in terms of former champions and women who have had great success in Australia.”
Here's a look at what the quarterfinal matches could look like if results are as expected.
1.05pm: SWIATEK Terror first round draw
This is an absolute nightmare draw for women's favorite, Iga Swiatek, who draws 2020 champion Sofia Kenin in her first-round match.
Kenin has emerged as one of the most dangerous players on the women's side of the draw alongside fellow former champion Naomi Osaka and the likes of Sloane Stephens and Caroline Wozniacki.
But Kenin, a former world number four, is not a name you want to see first – despite her modest recent results.
12pm: Injury curse hampers history's chase for Novak
Novak Djokovic is the favorite once again at the Australian Open as he bids for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title, but a wrist problem and the emergence of Carlos Alcaraz put his triumphant reign under threat.
The 36-year-old Serbian beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in last year's final to claim his 10th title in Melbourne, then added the French and US Open titles to his collection in 2023.
But he lost a thrilling Wimbledon final to Alcaraz, a different player to the one who last appeared on the Australian hard courts as an 18-year-old outside the top 30.
The full raffle and brackets will be revealed at 1 p.m
The 20-year-old missed last year's event with a hamstring injury, and arrives this time as a two-time major champion, world number two – behind Djokovic – and tennis's brightest young star. Rafael Nadal, Djokovic's long-time rival The Australian tennis player has withdrawn, Today, Sunday, he was eliminated from the Australian Open due to a muscle tear, in a new blow to the veteran player’s hopes of returning to the forefront of the sport.
Spaniard Alcaraz, Nadal's teammate, chose not to participate in a friendly tournament before the opening of this year's Grand Slams, making his level in 2024 a mystery.
Djokovic will start his defense with a cloud of injury hanging over him, needing treatment on his right wrist during United's two Cup matches – including a loss to Australia's Alex de Minaur.
Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek is in scintillating form as she bids for her first Australian Open title, but she could face a tough test from defending champion Aryna Sabalenka as two-time champion Naomi Osaka returns.
World number one Swiatek has won 17 of her 18 matches since losing in the fourth round of her US Open title defence, and has gone on to win the China Open and the WTA Finals.
The Polish player started the new season in a brilliant way, winning all five of her singles matches in the United Cup last week.
Originally published as Australian Open 2024 draw: Live coverage, matches, rankings and full schedule for men and women
