Summer in Melbourne hits different. It's the smell of sunscreen, the sound of tram bells, and that unmistakable thwack of a tennis ball echoing through Melbourne Park. If you've been asking when does Australian Open start 2025, you're probably already mentally preparing for the late nights and the heatwaves.
Honestly, the schedule for 2025 followed the newer "Sunday Start" tradition that fans are still getting used to. For years, we all knew the first Monday was the big day, but things changed to give players more breathing room.
The main draw of the Australian Open 2025 officially started on Sunday, January 12, 2025. It wasn't just a quiet opening, either. By starting on Sunday, the tournament locked in a 15-day marathon that culminated in the Men’s Final on Sunday, January 26—which, for the locals, coincided perfectly with the Australia Day public holiday.
Breaking Down the AO 2025 Calendar
Most people think the tournament is just those two weeks of televised glory. But if you're a real tennis nerd, you know the action actually begins way earlier. The "Opening Week" is basically a hidden gem for fans who want to see world-class tennis without the Rod Laver Arena price tag.
The Qualifying Rounds
The grind actually began on Monday, January 6, 2025. This is where 128 men and 128 women fought for those precious 16 qualifying spots. It’s gritty. It’s intense. It’s also where you see the future stars before they become household names.
Main Draw Schedule
Once the qualifiers were settled, the main event took over. Here is how the 2025 rounds typically shook out:
- First Round: January 12–14.
- Second Round: January 15–16.
- Quarterfinals: January 21–22.
- Women’s Final: Saturday, January 25.
- Men’s Final: Sunday, January 26.
Basically, if you were planning your life around the TV schedule, the first three days were absolute chaos with matches spread across every single court.
Why the Sunday Start Actually Happened
You might wonder why they messed with the "Monday Start" tradition. It wasn't just a random choice. Data from previous years showed that finishing first-round matches was becoming a nightmare. Matches were ending at 3:00 or 4:00 AM, which is brutal for the players and even worse for the ball kids and staff.
By adding that extra day at the beginning, the organizers tried to reduce the number of late-night finishes. Did it work perfectly? Kinda. Tennis is unpredictable, and a five-set thriller can still blow the whole schedule apart, but it definitely felt less rushed than the old format.
Who Took Home the Trophies in 2025?
Looking back at the results, 2025 was a year of "The New Guard" truly cementing their place.
On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner proved his 2024 win wasn't a fluke. He took down Alexander Zverev in a final that showed exactly why he’s the most feared ball-striker on tour right now. Zverev put up a fight, but Sinner’s composure in the tiebreakers was just on another level.
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The women's side gave us a bit of a surprise—or at least a long-overdue moment. Madison Keys finally grabbed her first Grand Slam title. She defeated the reigning champ Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set rollercoaster. It was one of those matches where the momentum swung so violently you couldn't look away. For a while, it looked like Sabalenka's power would overwhelm everyone, but Keys found a rhythm in the third set that was simply untouchable.
What it was Like on the Ground
If you were lucky enough to have a Ground Pass in 2025, you noticed a few things. First, the heat. Melbourne in January is no joke. We saw temperatures spiking, leading to the "Heat Stress Scale" being invoked several times. This meant the roofs on Rod Laver, Margaret Court, and John Cain Arena were frequently closed, turning the tournament into an indoor event for the big stars.
The vibes at Garden Square and the AO Live Stage were arguably better than the tennis itself. They really leaned into the "festival" aspect this year. More food trucks, more live music, and more "Pimm's on tap" energy.
Essential Facts for the History Books
- Surface: Blue GreenSet hard courts. It’s faster than the US Open but slower than a classic grass court.
- Prize Money: The total pool hit a record high of $96.5 million AUD in 2025.
- Attendance: Over 1.2 million fans passed through the gates, a massive jump from previous years.
How to Prepare for the Next One
If you missed out on the 2025 action, the cycle starts all over again soon. Tickets usually go on sale in October. Pro tip: if you want the big matches, you have to be ready the second they drop. But if you just want the atmosphere, the second-week Ground Passes are usually a steal because you can still see the Juniors, Legends, and Wheelchair events, which are incredibly high-quality.
Now that the 2025 chapter is closed, the focus shifts to the clay and grass seasons. But for those of us who love the "Happy Slam," January 12 was the day the year truly began.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the official Australian Open website for the 2026 preliminary dates, which are already circulating.
- Start looking at Melbourne accommodation in August or September; prices triple if you wait until December.
- Follow the "AO Extras" mailing list to get early access to pre-sale tickets for the next tournament.