Australian Open 2025 will host the biggest Opening Week yet, with the stars of the game taking to the court in a packed program of charity matches over four nights on Rod Laver Arena.
Ten-time AO champion Novak Djokovic, world No.1 Jannik Sinner, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and AO 2024 finalist Qinwen Zheng, join Australia’s Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin in charity matches from Tuesday 7 to Friday 10 January.
Rod Laver Arena will also host Red Bull Bassline on Tuesday 7 January, featuring six of the world’s best players in a unique, one-night only, tie-break tennis event, all set against a DJ dropping beats.
In a world first, local community and club players will have the chance to battle it out with their tennis idols in the Australian Open 1 Point Slam. Unlike anything ever seen at a Grand Slam before, local community players – men and women – will face off against the pros for ultimate bragging rights.
The charity matches and 1 Point Slam are part of AO Opening Week presented by Herald Sun, giving fans a unique opportunity to experience Grand Slam tennis up close with unprecedented access to the top players.
“Australian Open 2025 will kick off with a bang with more incredible tennis and entertainment on offer than ever before, and more of the precinct open during Opening Week,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said.
“There will be four spectacular nights of charity matches on Rod Laver Arena featuring an incredible line-up of international stars including our 10-time champion Novak Djokovic, 2024 champ and world No.1 Jannik Sinner, Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz and Qinwen Zheng.
“Aussies Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin will also compete against the best of the best to entertain fans and support a range of children’s charities through the Australian Tennis Foundation.
“With Dylan Alcott as MC, Red Bull Bassline on Tuesday night will have an electric atmosphere with a live DJ, courtside interviews and players interacting with fans in the stands.
“Opening Week offers amazing value to fans and families with Ground Passes just $15 for adults and $10 for kids. On a Ground Pass, fans can watch the champions of tomorrow battle it out in qualifying, get up close to the titans of the game as they practice on Rod Laver Arena, enjoy live music, hear directly from players, shop and sample delicious food and drinks from a huge range of outlets.
"We’ll also be giving out five thousand Hot Shots tennis racquets to kids.
“We are incredibly excited to host the world’s first 1 Point Slam at the Australian Open and know fans will get behind locals as they take on the pros.”
Tennis stars won’t just be visible on-court during Opening Week, they will also be appearing daily at a new dedicated Fan Stage on Grand Slam Oval. Multiple times a day, players will take to the stage to participate in interviews and games, pose for photos and sign autographs.
The Fan Stage will also host live music, competitions and giveaways throughout Opening Week.
One of the biggest attractions of Opening Week continues to be AO qualifying, where 256 men and women – including many future stars - battle it out for just 32 places in the main draw.
Daily open practice sessions in Rod Laver Arena will be extended, giving fans more opportunities to watch their favourite champions unfiltered and up close from the front row. Fans will also have a front row seat to watch players practicing in The Village – a new feature of the precinct between Kia Arena and John Cain Arena.
Kids Tennis Day presented by Emirates, a firm favourite among tennis’ youngest fans, returns on Saturday 11 January.
It will feature an Arena Spectacular in Rod Laver Arena with top players, live performances with vocalists and dance ensembles including a special performance by Zindzi & the Zillionaires, and a visit from some Kids Tennis Day friends. The Arena Spectacular will be hosted by Casey Dellacqua and Shura Taft.
There will be family-friendly entertainment throughout the precinct on Kids Tennis Day. The AO Ballpark presented by Emirates will feature an action-packed schedule including Hot Shots HQ tennis games, an obstacle course, a waterslide with 2.5 and 6m drops, craft areas, and more opportunities for families to play tennis together.
The Grand Slam Oval stage will feature entertainment throughout the day, there will be more opportunities to try Hot Shots Tennis and POP Tennis, face painting, games and music in Garden Square, meet and greets with favourite characters including Peppa Pig, PJ Masks Villains, Paddington Bear, Octonauts, and Matteo from LEGO, as well as roaming performers. Exclusive Kids Tennis Day menus will feature at a variety of food outlets.
Tickets for Kids Tennis Day range from $15 to $25, while kids aged two and younger are free.
The official AO Draw will be held on the steps of MCA on Thursday 9 January and shown live on the big screens around the site.
Ground passes for Opening Week are available for purchase at Ticketmaster. Tickets for Kids Tennis Day and all charity matches will go on-sale on Monday 9 December.
Proceeds from the charity matches will support a range of charities through the Australian Tennis Foundation which has provided over 100,000 hours of joy to over 26,000 kids and families facing adversity.
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Kids participating in the ATF's year-round programs will also have the exciting opportunity to be selected for the coin toss at the charity matches.
About the Australian Tennis Foundation
The Australian Tennis Foundation (ATF) aims to inspire brighter futures for disadvantaged children and young people through tennis. As the Official Charity of Tennis Australia and the Australian Open, it uses tennis as a vehicle to reduce social disadvantage and increase social cohesion.
Since its launch in 2020, the Australian Tennis Foundation has provided more than 75,000 opportunities for disadvantaged kids to play and belong.
The Australian Tennis Foundation has expanded its footprint even further in 2024 by making tennis available to more than 5000 children and young people from some of Australia’s most disadvantaged communities. An additional 3500 kids and families have been offered the chance for connection and relief from challenging life circumstances.
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Launched in September 2022, ATF Brighter Days program provides relief from challenging life circumstances for young people and their families through fun, engaging tennis and social activities at flagship tennis facilities across Australia.
Brighter Days extends into the Summer of Tennis and the Australian Open providing families from partner charities the chance to come and enjoy the festival of tennis at the Australian Open or one of the lead-in events in their closest city.
Next year marks the fifth anniversary of the Rally as One initiative. Founded amid the Black Summer bushfires, the program helps communities affected by natural disasters, supporting the rebuilding of community infrastructure and providing free community events and tennis programs to foster social connections.
To commemorate the anniversary, the ATF is hosting 200 people from communities directly impacted by bushfires in regional Victoria at AO 2025. The families are VIP guests at an exhibition match played during Opening Week.
Since 2020, the ATF has used tennis as a vehicle to build connections and offer relief to more than 10,000 people in regional and remote communities devastated by bushfires and/or floods as part of the Rally as One initiative.
The ATF lottery is back this year, offering tennis fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the Australian Open in an extraordinary way. By entering the lottery, you and a friend could win tickets to your choice of men’s or women’s final, complete with flights, accommodation, on-site dining, exclusive behind-the-scenes access and special keepsakes to remember your experience. Winners will be drawn on Monday 20 January, 2025.