The Australian Open 2025 continued on day four at Melbourne Park, where fans were treated to thrilling matches—albeit interrupted by persistent rain. Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic headlined the day filled with tennis action, attracting significant attention as the tournament escalates. Despite the inclement weather, several top-seeded players showcased their skills, with local players battling to improve Australia's fortunes at the iconic Grand Slam event.
Among the most anticipated matchups was the clash between home favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis and the British 15th seed, Jack Draper, held at John Cain Arena. Early on, Kokkinakis displayed resilience, having fought off injuries earlier this week, including issues with his shoulder and thigh. Despite facing tough competition from Draper, who also recently recovered from injuries, Kokkinakis gained widespread support from the energetic crowd, cheering him on with Australian flags and chants.
While rain delays plagued many outdoor matches, inside the Rod Laver Arena, Coco Gauff, the third seed, faced Jodie Burrage, demonstrating her agility and strategy as she pushed through to win the first set decisively. Gauff managed to break Burrage's serve early on, establishing herself as the player to beat.
Meanwhile, Australians faced elimination in multiple matches. Ajla Tomljanović, competing against the 12th seed Diana Shnaider, found herself unable to overcome her opponent's momentum. Shnaider took the match with scores of 6-4, 7-5, eliminating Tomljanović for the sixth time as she attempted to break past the second round at the Australian Open—a feat she has yet to achieve.
After her defeat, Tomljanović expressed optimism about her performance, stating, "I moved probably the best I've moved for a long time; it just gives me confidence moving forward." Yet, she recognized Shnaider's consistency as the key factor, noting, "She had not many dips compared to my performance today." Shnaider, reflecting on the match, admitted to working on her mental fortitude during tight points throughout the game.
Rain interruptions continued to disrupt play throughout the afternoon, causing frustrations among both players and fans alike. According to organizers, all outside courts experienced suspensions until at least 7:30 PM AEDT, leaving only the indoor courts like Rod Laver Arena actively hosting matches. This weather pattern echoed previous Australian Open tournaments, which are often marked by unpredictability from nature.
On the men’s side, Jordan Thompson also succumbed to the pressures of the tournament, losing his second-round matchup to Nuno Borges. Borgs executed smooth gameplay, defeating Thompson sharply with scores of 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Thompson's struggle stemmed not only from Borges's skill but also from a growing foot injury restricting his movement on the court.
Thompson, visibly disappointed, disclosed, "I was getting outplayed… but it’s disappointing because I did have chances there." Reflecting on his medical struggles throughout the tournament, Thompson admitted he had required injections for pain management, signaling concerns about his recovery.
Earlier, Alex de Minaur was among the few Aussie players to advance to the second round, showing promise as he became the last seeded player representing Australia so far. After the unexpected eliminations faced by fellow competitors, de Minaur’s progress announced his ambitions to challenge for the title.
Looking at the return of play later, fans remained hopeful—especially with matches scheduled featuring high-profile players. Novak Djokovic, after overcoming qualifier Jaime Faria, shared some light-hearted moments during the match, occasionally expressing frustration at the lighting conditions and comforting himself with the prospect of facing another round. He secured victory and moved to the next stage, capping the day with determination.
Though this wet Wednesday developed as one of the most challenging days due to weather disruptions, excitement remained high for the upcoming matches. Djokovc's progress and Gauff's talent left spectators abuzz for more, all intending to return for the thrilling action planned over the following days. Kokkinakis, among the Aussie hopefuls, took to the court with his reputation on the line, inside a sea of green and gold supportive fans. All eyes are now set on what outcome will follow as players look to make the most of this precious opportunity on the global stage.
The narrative of the Australian Open continues, reflecting not just the scores but the hopes and struggles of its players, as they battle for glory amid the iconic surroundings of Melbourne Park.