The Australian Open Tennis Tournament is set to kick off this coming Sunday, and attention is drawn not only to its marquee players but also to some unexpected early casualties from the qualifying rounds. Among the notable names affected is Cruz Hewitt, the teenage son of former world number one Lleyton Hewitt, who faced disappointment alongside other tennis veterans.
Cruz Hewitt attempted to emulate his father’s remarkable climb by entering the qualifying rounds, yet he struggled against Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili, succumbing to a straight-sets loss of 6-1, 6-4. This defeat came nearly three decades after his father's own groundbreaking experience at the Australian Open, where Lleyton secured his spot through a wildcard entry.
Other early exits included the Australian Bernard Tomic, once ranked 17th globally, who was overwhelmed by Slovakian Jozef Kovalik with a score of 6-3, 6-1. French player Richard Gasquet, aiming for his 18th appearance at the Australian Open main draw, also fell short at the hands of Duje Ajdukovic. The 23-year-old Croatian, who was 15 years Gasquet’s junior, proved too tough with his own straightforward victory.
“Shout-out to Richard still giving it his all at his age, it’s unbelievable,” Ajdukovic noted respectfully after the match, highlighting the sportsmanship and dedication present even amid fierce competition.
Despite these exits, the focus of the tournament remains on the favorites, particularly world number one, Aryna Sabalenka. Having won the Australian Open consecutively for the past two years, Sabalenka is entering this tournament brimming with confidence. She recently won the Brisbane International, which is seen as excellent preparation for the Grand Slam, and has made it clear she aims for her third title this year.
“Mentally, physically, I’ll be ready to go at the Australian Open,” said Sabalenka after her Brisbane triumph, emphasizing her readiness to defend her crown. She has cemented her status as the top player, attributed to her stellar performance throughout 2024, where she claimed multiple WTA titles and unseated Iga Swiatek as the world number one.
Sabalenka’s potential challengers include the likes of Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff. Swiatek, who is coming off a tumultuous year, managed to return to form by showcasing her skills at the United Cup, securing four consecutive singles wins before falling to Gauff.
Coco Gauff, now 20, has emerged as one of the most promising talents after overcoming struggles with her game. Renowned for her powerful style, Gauff triumphed at the US Open last year and recently defeated Swiatek, consistently demonstrating her ability to perform under pressure. “Honestly, before every Grand Slam I have the belief I can win,” Gauff stated confidently, framing herself as one to watch as the tournament commences.
Another intriguing contender is Zheng Qinwen, who had a fantastic 2024, including a victory at the Olympic Games. After reaching the final of the Australian Open the previous year, she remains one of Sabalenka’s closest contenders. With her potent serve and aggressive play, she aims to claim her first major title.
Teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva, also poised for potential breakthroughs, is expected to be competitive after winning her first title last year. At just 17 years old, she possesses considerable talent and fearlessness, underscoring this year’s tournament as not only about the established players but also the rising stars.
While the veterans battled through qualifiers, many younger players look to make their own marks on the tournament. Names like Jasmine Paolini and former champion Naomi Osaka, testing their skills after returning from maternity leave, amplify the sense of excitement and unpredictability around the event.
Osaka, who prior to her hiatus dominated the Grand Slam scene, has shown sparks of her previous form after re-entering the circuit, and her matches are anticipated against top opponents. The 2022 champion, now unseeded, could provide unexpected challenges to any player.
With the Australian Open looming, the dynamics are rife with excitement and uncertainty. The performance of both seasoned players and newcomers will play out on the hardcourts, setting the stage for what promises to be another memorable tournament as players vie for the first Grand Slam title of the year.