Australian Open set to deliver three-week tennis extravaganza

With the first bounce of qualifying set to commence on Monday 9th January, the Australian Open 2023 is ready to present a three-week celebration of tennis and entertainment.

While the main draw gets underway on Monday 16th January, throughout the lead-in week fans will have more opportunity than ever before to see their favourite players up-close in practice, as well as follow the stars of the future as they battle it out to qualify for the first Grand Slam of the year.

Looking forward to the event, Australian Open Tournament Director, Craig Tiley stated “there’s always amazing tennis on offer during AO qualifying and for 2023 we’re amplifying the on-site experience for our fans and giving them a real taste of the AO festival atmosphere as well.

“The competition in qualifying is fierce, with just eight spots in both the men’s and women’s draws up for grabs, and it’s an incredible opportunity to see the stars of the future in action.

“In 2019, just a few years ago, I watched Iga Swiatek playing ‘qualies’ and now she’s dominating as world No.1. Iga was a junior Wimbledon champion and we have more than 20 players in the qualifying field who’ve won junior Grand Slam titles. Although that’s not a guarantee of success in the pro game, it is a good indication of the talent to watch.”

Tiley suggest that names to follow in 2023 include recent Australian Open junior champions Clara Tauson of Denmark, Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva of Andorra, Petra Marcinko of Croatia and Harold Mayot of France, adding “qualies is also where you’ll see big-name players making their comebacks after injuries. There will be three former AO semifinalists in action this year, Fernando Verdasco - who could forget his memorable five-set thriller against Rafa Nadal in 2009, fan favourite Eugenie Bouchard who reached the semifinals in 2014 and quarterfinals in 2015, and American Coco Vandeweghe, who made it to the semifinals in 2017. Former top 20 player from Croatia, Ana Konjuh, China’s Wu Yibing who is rocketing up the rankings after years of injury concerns and rising Swiss star Dominic Stricker.

“Fans can also get up close and watch the top players in practice as they prepare for the AO, as well as daily practice matches.”

The busy Australian Open lead-in week schedule includes all 224 qualifying matches, open-practice sessions and culminates in the incredibly popular Kids Tennis Day presented by Emirates, which is back bigger and better than ever after a two-year hiatus.

Kids Tennis Day will again feature activities and entertainment for kids of all ages across the site. In the morning there will be an Arena Spectacular at Rod Laver Arena, where kids and adults alike will be wowed by awe-inspiring performance of acrobatics, dance, an array of awesome circus talent, alongside some of the world’s best players who will join in the fun.

Australian Open 2023, supported by major partner Kia in association with Emirates, Luzhou Laojiao and Rolex, will take place at Melbourne Park from 16th to 29th January 2023.

Lower image: Rising Australian star Taylah Preston hits a forehand during the Australian Open qualifying rounds earlier this year. Credit: Tennis Australia.