Australian Open returns with Djokovic and Sabalenka in action on Day 1
The Australian Open is back, and it's set to be an exciting start with defending champions Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka taking to the court on Day 1. Get ready for all the action in Melbourne with SunSport's comprehensive guide.
Novak Djokovic aims for record-breaking 11th Australian Open title
Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic will be looking to make history as he aims for his 11th Australian Open title. The world number one claimed his record-breaking 10th title at last year's tournament and will be out to defend his crown.
Aryna Sabalenka hopes to continue her winning streak in Melbourne
Belarusian ace Aryna Sabalenka will be on a mission to extend her winning streak at the Australian Open. After triumphing over Elena Rybakina to win the women's singles title last year, Sabalenka is eager to make her mark once again.
Order of Play for Sunday, January 14th
Get ready for an action-packed Day 1 with matches across multiple arenas in Melbourne. Here are the key matchups:
Rod Laver Arena
- 1am GMT/8pm ET: (4) Jannik Sinner (Ita) vs Botic van de Zandschulp (Ned), (8) Maria Sakkari (Gre) vs Nao Hibino (Jpn)
- 8am/3am ET: (1) Novak Djokovic (Ser) vs Dino Prizmic (Cro), Ella Seidel (Ger) vs (2) Aryna Sabalenka (Blr)
Margaret Court Arena
- 1am/8pm: Mai Hontama (Jpn) vs (9) Barbora Krejcikova (Cze), Thiago Seyboth Wild (Bra) vs (5) Andrey Rublev (Rus)
- 8am/3am ET: (20) Magda Linette (Pol) vs Caroline Wozniacki (Den), (17) Frances Tiafoe (USA) vs Borna Coric (Cro)
John Cain Arena
- 12am/7pm ET: (32) Leylah Fernandez (Can) vs Sara Bejlek (Cze), Dane Sweeny (Aus) vs (22) Francisco Cerundolo (Arg)
- 5am/12am ET: (12) Taylor Fritz (USA) vs Facundo Diaz Acosta (Arg)
1573 Arena
- 12am/7pm ET: (28) Lesia Tsurenko (Ukr) vs Lucia Bronzetti (Ita), Fabian Marozsan (Hun) vs Marin Cilic (Cro), JJ Wolf (USA) vs (26) Sebastian Baez (Arg)
Kia Arena
- 12am/7pm ET: Matteo Arnaldi (Ita) vs Adam Walton (Aus), Alize Cornet (Fra) vs Maria Timofeeva (Rus), (13) Laura Samsonova (Cze) vs Amanda Anisimova (USA)
- 6am/1am ET: Daniel Elahi Galan (Col) vs Jason Kubler (Aus)
Court 3
- 12am/7pm ET: Alexander Shevchenko (Rus) vs Jaume Munar (Spa), Alycia Parks (USA) vs Daria Snigur (Ukr)
- 3.30am/10:30pm ET: Christopher O'Connell (Aus) vs Christian Garin (Chi)
Court 6
- 12am/7pm ET: Kamilla Rakhimova (Rus) vs Emina Bektas (USA), Pavel Kotov (Rus) vs Arthur Rinderknech (Fra), Sara Sorribes Tormo (Spa) vs Alina Korneeva (Rus)
Court 7
- 2am/9pm ET: Zhuoxuan Bai (Chi) vs Elina Avanesyan (Rus), Diane Parry (Fra) vs (30) Xin Yu Wang (Chn), Quentin Halys (Fra) vs Lloyd Harris (Rsa)
Court 13
- 2am/9pm ET: Tamara Korpatsch (Ger) vs Jodie Burrage (Gbr), Tomas Machac (Cze) vs Shintaro Mochizuki (Jpn), Caroline Dolehide (USA) vs Leolia Jeanjean (Fra)
Court 17
- 3am/10pm ET: Ana Bogdan (Rom) vs Brenda Fruhvirtova (Cze), Jesper De Jong (Ned) vs Pedro Cachin (Arg)
Full Schedule for Australian Open 2024
Make sure to mark your calendars for all the exciting matches throughout the Australian Open. Here's the complete schedule:
- Monday, January 8 – Thursday, January 11: Qualifying
- Sunday, January 14: Men's and women's first round singles
- Monday, January 15: Men's and women's first round singles
- Tuesday, January 16: Men's and women's first round singles
- Wednesday, January 17: Men's and women's second round singles
- Thursday, January 18: Men's and women's second round singles
- Friday, January 19: Men's and women's third round singles
- Saturday, January 20: Men's and women's third round singles
- Sunday, January 21: Men's and women's fourth round singles
- Monday, January 22: Men's and women's fourth round singles
- Tuesday, January 23: Men's and women's singles quarter-finals
- Wednesday, January 24: Men's and women's singles quarter-finals
- Thursday, January 25: Women's singles semi-finals
- Friday, January 26: Men's singles semi-finals
- Saturday, January 27: Women's singles final, men's doubles final
- Sunday, January 28: Men's singles final, women's doubles final
How to Watch Australian Open 2024
Tennis fans in the UK can catch all the action LIVE on Eurosport, while viewers in the US can tune in to ESPN. For online access, head to discovery+ for comprehensive coverage of all the matches. And if you want set-by-set updates, SunSport has got you covered throughout the tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to become a tennis professional if you start late?
Tennis is a sport that can be played at any age. While it will require more effort, you can still reach professional status. Success will depend on the individual’s athletic ability, work ethic, dedication, and access to quality coaching and competition. Late starters must engage in intensive, highly-focused training. While the path is likely to be longer, with talent, perseverance and dedication, achieving a professional standard is possible.
What type of fitness training is important for tennis players?
Tennis is a demanding sport, requiring a combination of anaerobic fitness and aerobic endurance as well speed, strength, power, and agility. Tennis fitness training includes cardio exercises for endurance, plyometrics and explosive exercises for power and speed, weight training to build strength, as well agility drills for improving footwork and on court movement. In order to build the coordination and endurance necessary for the physical demands placed on tennis players, core stability exercises as well as balance training are crucial.
What role does videoanalysis play in the training of top tennis players
Video analysis has become a vital tool for developing and training top tennis athletes. It allows a detailed analysis of opponent patterns, technique, and match play. Coaches and players utilize video analysis to dissect strokes, pinpoint areas for improvement, and strategize against future opponents. It helps identify tendencies and patterns which might be missed during a competition. This allows more targeted and efficient practices.
Is it important to compete in junior events for a tennis career?
It is important to compete in junior tournaments if you want to pursue a career as a professional player. These tournaments give young athletes the chance to compete against peers, gain valuable experience in matches, and learn how to deal with the mental demands of competitive play. Junior tournaments provide a good stepping stone for players to move up to higher levels of competition. They also have an impact on their ranking, their visibility in front of coaches and sponsors, as well as the overall development they make as athletes.
What kind support team do top tennis players need?
To compete at the highest level, a top tennis player requires a strong support team. This team includes a coach who oversees training and technical improvement, as well as a fitness instructor for physical conditioning. A physiotherapist, medical professional, or sports psychologist will also be part of this team to provide mental coaching. A hitting partner, an agent or manager, and sometimes a “stringer” can be included in the team to ensure the player is able to concentrate solely on their game.
Statistics
- Approximately 70% of a professional tennis player’s training time is devoted to developing technique and on-court strategies.
- Studies show that superior agility and speed among tennis players can reduce their reaction time by up to 30%, which is crucial during high-level matches.
- Engaging in structured video analysis sessions has been shown to improve a player’s tactical decision-making by approximately 35%.
- Statistical trends indicate that top tennis players usually have at least 5 people in their support team, including coaches, fitness trainers, and physiotherapists.
- Nutritionists report that a tennis player’s diet should consist of about 55-60% carbohydrates, 15-20% protein, and 20-25% fats during intense training periods.
External Links
wilsontennis.com
itftennis.com
atptour.com
essentialtennis.com
usta.com
How To
How to Recover From Tennis Workouts?
A good recovery is crucial to avoiding injury and preparing the body for the following session. Begin with a cool-down phase that includes light cardio to gradually lower your heart rate. Stretching statically will help to improve flexibility and reduce tightness in the muscles. You can use recovery techniques, such as foam-rolling or massages, to reduce muscle soreness. They also help remove lactic acids. It is important to stay hydrated. Replace fluids that are lost during exercise and replenish electrolytes, if needed. After a workout, consume carbohydrates and protein in order to repair your muscles and replenish glycogen. Finally, ensure you get adequate rest and consider incorporating rest days into your training schedule to allow full recovery.
