Nadal, Djokovic, Federer Lead The Way At Australian Open; When Is The Draw & More

When Novak Djokovic won his first of a record seven titles at the Australian Open in 2008, he was the third seed behind Roger Federer (1) and Rafael Nadal (2). Twelve years later, Nadal (1), Djokovic (2) and Federer (3) continue to lead the way in Melbourne as the top three seeds at the first Grand Slam tournament of the 2020 ATP Tour season.

Djokovic, who defeated Nadal in last year’s Australian Open final, renewed his rivalry with the Spaniard this past Sunday in the ATP Cup final. Djokovic prevailed 6-2, 7-6(4) in their 55th ATP Head2Head clash and then teamed up with Viktor Troicki in the decisive doubles match to clinch the victory for Serbia. 

With his second Australian Open title, World No. 1 Nadal would match Federer’s record mark of 20 Grand Slam titles. Nadal defeated the Swiss in the 2009 final and was a runner-up on four other occasions (2012, 2014, 2017, 2019). Federer is a six-time champion in Melbourne, including back-to-back titles in 2017-18.

The 2020 Australian Open field also includes a number of young challengers, led by 23-year-old Russian Daniil Medvedev, who reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open (l. to Nadal). Dominic Thiem, 26, and the past two winners of the Nitto ATP Finals, 21-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas and 22-year-old Alexander Zverev, round out the top eight seeds. 

In doubles, Americans Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan – winners of a record six Australian Open titles – will make their final team appearance in Melbourne. The Bryans will retire following the 2020 US Open. 

Here’s all you need to know about the Australian Open: when is the draw, what is the schedule, who has won, how to buy tickets and more. 

Established: 1905

Tournament Dates: 14-27 January 2019

Tournament Director: Craig Tiley

Draw Ceremony: Thursday, 16 January from 6pm

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Schedule (View On Official Website)
* Qualifying: Tuesday, 14 January – Friday, 17 January
* First through Fourth Rounds: Monday, 20 January – Monday, 27 January from 11am and 7pm
* Quarter-finals: Tuesday, 28 January and Wednesday, 29 January from 11am and 7pm
* Semi-finals: Thursday, 30 January and Friday, 31 January not before 7:30pm
* Mixed doubles final: Saturday, 1 February following the women’s singles final
* Doubles final: Sunday, 2 February at 4pm
* Singles final: Sunday, 2 February at 7:30pm

Venue: Melbourne Park
Main Court Seating: 15,000

Prize Money: The Australian Open is offering record prize money in 2020: AUD $71 million (USD $49,564,735), a 13.6 per cent increase from last year’s event. The prize money in Melbourne has nearly tripled from AUD $25 million (USD $17,452,371) in 2011.

Tickets On Sale: Buy Now

View Who Is Playing, Past Champions, Seeds, Points & Prize Money Breakdown

Honour Roll (Open Era)
Most Titles, Singles: Novak Djokovic (7)
Most Titles, Doubles: Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan (6)
Oldest Champion: Ken Rosewall, 37, in 1972
Youngest Champion: Mats Wilander, 19, in 1983

Social
Hashtag: #AusOpen

Facebook: @AustralianOpen
Twitter: @AustralianOpen
Instagram: @australianopen
YouTube: Australian Open TV

Did You Know… Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios will join the likes of Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka at the AO Rally for Relief on Wednesday, 15 January, to help raise funds for Australian bushfire relief efforts.

Join the world’s top players for AO Rally for Relief and help make a difference. 100% of proceeds will be donated to the bushfire relief cause.

Get your tickets before they’re gone ? https://t.co/OgbfC9lgY2#Aces4BushfireRelief pic.twitter.com/pW6XbZ0xEk

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 6, 2020