Australian Open 2025: Sabalenka, Zverev and Andreeva to feature on day one

From rival opponents to player and coach – Djokovic could not speak more highly of his newest team member Andy Murray.

The pair were competitors for 25 years – first facing off against each other at around the age of 12. They understand each other well, Djokovic says.

“Andy just finished his playing career six months ago, so it was somewhat of a surprise for him when I called him,” he says. “I wanted to have somebody who won multiple slams, and the list is not that long.”

“His tennis IQ is very high … He really has inspired myself and a lot of people from around the world.

“We are still at the very beginning of the partnership … we still haven’t had [an] official match… I’m excited to start a tournament with him.

“He observes and speaks when it’s most important. He understands the moment when he needs to say something, and what to say.”

Zverev’s media conference is coming to an end…

But wait – an interruption from the back of the room! Novak Djokovic has found his way to the media conference, and he wants to ask Zverev one final question.

“What attracts you to space exploration?,” Djokovic asks.

It’s a curly one. Zverev isn’t quite sure how to answer. There are laughs from around the room.

Zverev isn’t sure. “[But] I think the answer to winning a grand slam is you letting me win one,” the German player finally answers.

The banter is a nice change of pace. Djokovic is clearly comfortable here in Melbourne.

Second seeded German Alexander Zverev is looking to finally win his first grand slam singles title in 2025. Could Australia be the country he achieves it in?

“I think everybody knows what I’m chasing. Everybody knows what my goals and dreams are,” he says. “Going into a grand slam as world No. 2, you have to go in with the mindset of ‘I want to win the tournament’.”

According to Zverev, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are the three biggest hurdles that will stop him from achieving this.

It’s pretty difficult not to like Jasmine Paolini, the Italian fourth seed who is returning to Melbourne Park after reaching the fourth round last year.

The 29-year-old achieved some of her best results ever in 2024, and says it’s because she’s always been more of a mature person.

“I believe more in myself than 3 or 4 years ago… maybe I [needed] more time to believe that I could play at this level.”

“Last year I had a good year. I had experience in big matches. I’m hoping that this will help me in the first round, which is the match that I’m sure I will play,” she says.

“It’s nice to feel the love of the people, especially in Italy now that tennis is growing a lot.”

Second seed Iga Swiatek is being asked about when she initially heard about her positive substance test back in September.

“We don’t have two hours to talk,” she initially answers – cutting a reporter off mid-question – before letting him continue.

“I was [surprised] as well, trust me… I had no idea it was going to happen. I had no idea if my suspension was going to be lifted soon or not… It wasn’t easy. It was probably the worst time in my life.

“I’m a control freak … just having the feeling that everything that I built can be taken away so quickly by something that you have no control over – it was pretty crazy for me.”

She also clarifies why the news of her positive test was not immediately made public.

“We chose for the first tournament to say ‘personal reasons’ because we thought the suspension would be lifted soon,” she says.

It’s a big week for Alex de Minaur, who is busy keeping up with various sponsor, media and mentorship commitments. Oh – and he’s been busy training for his home grand slam.

“It’s no secret that… there’s always going to be a few more eyeballs and more commitments,” de Minaur says. “But it’s always about finding that healthy balance.

“There was a bulk of work done at the start of the week. And as we’re getting closer to match day, we’re tapering off. And I’ll be ready to go.

“It is a long tournament. And it starts with the first round… Every time you step out for a tournament, you’ve always got to think that there’s a chance,” he says.

Nick Kyrgios is growing increasing confident that his body will be raring to go for his grand slam return, declaring that his low-level abdominal strain is nothing like the significant injuries that have kept him off the circuit for the best part of two years.

“I still have three days before the tournament starts for me. I’m just taking it day by day. Just enjoying all the moments again, being a part of the tournament, going through the hallways, locker room, seeing everyone again,” Kyrgios said on Friday.

“I think it’s just part of the game – niggles. I don’t think anyone really feels 100 per cent. Look, as long as it’s not something like my wrist again, I think I can manage it.“

Kyrgios, who last played a grand slam event at the 2022 US Open, explained how he didn’t feel he’d necessarily been away from the sport given the amount of time he’d spent on rehabilitation after surgery and then preparing himself physically.

“After Brisbane, it was really encouraging. My body was struggling a little bit. I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to try to build on that’. Then obviously [I] had a little bit more of a setback.

“I feel like I haven’t been away from the game. Competitively I have been, but I don’t feel like that… I feel like I’ve been playing more tennis more than ever.”