A stellar playing field that includes Rafael Nadal and Ash Barty is set to compete at Melbourne Park for the 2022 Australian Open.
History is on the line at this year’s Australian Open.
2009 champion Rafael Nadal - who is dominating the Australian Open tennis odds - will play for an unprecedented 21st major title. On the women’s side, world #1 Ash Barty, will attempt to become the first Australian player to win an Australian Open singles title in 44 years.
Will Novak Djokovic play in the 2022 Australian Open?
Novak Djokovic initially won his visa cancellation case in court on Monday, January 10. However, the Serbian champion - who is unvaccinated - was deported on Friday, January 14 by the Minister for Immigration, Alex Hawke.
The 2022 Australian Open
When: 17-30 January.
Where: Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia.
Prize money: AUD $75m ($4.4m each for men and women’s winners).
Crowds: Australian Open tickets are for sale with officials planning for full capacity in all courts, including Rod Laver Arena. However, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions such as density limits may occur.
2022 Australian Open: Key talking points
- Nine-time Men’s Singles Champion, Novak Djokovic arrives in Australia under COVID-19 controversy and is eventually sent home on Friday, January 14.
- Reigning US Open winner, Daniil Medvedev is looking to win his first Australian Open, after losing last years’ final to Novak Djokovic.
- Women’s world #1 and Aussie superstar, Ash Barty is attempting to win her first Australian Open singles title.
- Defending champion Naomi Osaka is vying for a fifth career major singles title.
Australian Open Tennis Odds - outrights
Men’s draw
Women’s draw
Who will win the 2022 Men’s Australian Open?
It’s hard to go past last year’s runner-up, Daniil Medvedevavenging his crushing defeat to Djokovic. Without Djokovic in the draw, Medvedev will feel confident, especially after winning the last major title in tennis - the 2021 US Open.
The other main contenders in the men’s draw include Germany’s Alexander Zverev, 2009 winner Rafael Nadal and 2021 semi-finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas.
A notable absentee on the men’s side is six-time Australian Open Champion Roger Federer, who is recovering from knee surgery. Fellow Swiss and 2014 Champion Stan Wawrinka, will also miss the event as he too recovers from surgery.
Recent men’s major title results
| Major title | Result |
|---|---|
| 2021 US Open | Daniil Medvedev def. Novak Djokovic |
| 2021 Wimbledon | Novak Djokovic def. Matteo Berrettini |
| 2021 French Open | Novak Djokovic def. Stefanos Tsitsipas |
| 2021 Australian Open | Novak Djokovic def. Daniil Medvedev |
Who will win the 2022 Women’s Australian Open?
Ash Barty is the odds-on favourite to take out the 2022 Australian Open. The Australian superstar is looking to add an Australian Open title to her 2019 French Open and 2021 Wimbledon titles.
Hot on her heels will be two-time Australian Open Champion, Naomi Osaka who won last year’s tournament. Osaka is known for her aggressive baseline play and is probably the biggest threat to Barty taking out this year’s title.
Rounding out the other major contenders are Garbine Muguruza, Iga Swiatek, Simona Halep and Anett Kontaveit. Also one to watch is Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu. The 19 year old is fresh off her first major title, winning the 2021 US Open.
In disappointing news, seven-time Champion Serena Williams will not contest the women’s draw. Williams withdrew following advice from her medical team. Also not playing is 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu. The young Canadian star is currently taking a break from tennis.
Recent women’s major title results
| Major title | Result |
|---|---|
| 2021 US Open | Emma Raducanu def. Leylah Fernandez |
| 2021 Wimbledon | Ash Barty def. Karolina Pliskova |
| 2021 French Open | Barbora Krejcikova def. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova |
| 2021 Australian Open | Naomi Osaka def. Jennifer Brady |
Past five Australian open winners
| Year | Winners |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Novak Djokovic/Naomi Osaka |
| 2020 | Novak Djokovic/Sofia Kenin |
| 2019 | Novak Djokovic/Naomi Osaka |
| 2018 | Roger Federer/Caroline Wozniacki |
| 2017 | Roger Federer/Serena Williams |
Australian competitors at the 2022 Australian Open
| Men’s draw | Women’s draw |
|---|---|
| Alex de Minaur (ranked 34) | Ash Barty (1) |
| James Duckworth (49) | Ajla Tomljanovic (45) |
| Alexei Popyrin (61) | Astra Sharma (99) |
| John Millman (72) | |
| Jordan Thompson (75) | |
| Nick Kyrgios (93) |
Australian Open Key facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1905 |
| Tournament name | First known as the Australiasian Championships, then the Australian Championships from 1927. Then, in 1969, it became the Australian Open. |
| Location | Melbourne (since 1972) |
| Surface | GreenSet, a brand of acrylic hard court surface. |
| Trophies | The men’s winner receives the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, while the women’s winner receives the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup. |
| Nickname | The happy slam |
| Most men’s titles | Novak Djokovic (9) |
| Most women’s titles | Margaret Court (11) |
Where can I watch the 2022 Australian Open?
You can watch the 2022 Australian Open live and free on channel 9. If you don’t want to miss a second of the action, every game is available to be live-streamed via their 9Now app. Other official broadcast partners include Sky and Stan Sport.
How can I bet on the 2022 Australian Open?
If you haven’t already, go and create a Picklebet account. As long as you’re 18+, you’ll get access to the latest and greatest tennis odds and promotions for the 2022 Australian Open!