After a blink-and-you’ll-miss it offseason — there were exactly five days between the conclusion of the NextGen ATP Finals and the start of the United Cup — the 2025 tennis season is officially underway.
And ready or not, it’s already time for the year’s first major at the Australian Open, which starts Sunday in Melbourne (Saturday at 7 p.m. ET).
Haven’t followed tennis since the US Open or just need a refresher on the most compelling storylines? We’ve got you covered. Here’s everything — minus the caffeine and a way to keep the days straight for those watching stateside — you need ahead of the main draw at the “Happy Slam.”
The defending champs
For a few years it was unclear who would replace tennis’ longtime elite players — Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Serena Williams — as they inevitably neared the ends of their careers. It seemed impossible to think anyone would be able to consistently win titles as they had done. And while Djokovic is still playing (more on him shortly) and all those on tour still have a long way to go before they occupy the same air as the legends mentioned, there are a few that have stepped up to the task. Chief among them are the defending champions: Aryna Sabalenka, who also won in Melbourne in…
