#australian-open

#australian-open

A lot can change in a year on the tennis tour. Around this time in 2024, Naomi Osaka was 57th in the world, still looking for traction following her return from maternity leave. Belinda Bencic was 487th, just getting started on her own comeback. Eighteen-year-old Victoria Mboko was 336th and only beginning to embark on a high-level professional pursuit. Now they're 16th, 11th and 18th in the world, respectively. Amanda Anisimova jumped from 36th to fourth.

Amid the endless flood of Instagram photo dumps and gushy captions from social media users around the world saluting another year gone by, Carlos Alcaraz's efforts were particularly interesting. The candid photos chosen by Alcaraz from his camera roll included dozens of friends and family, various barbecues and his many haircuts throughout the year, but there was no room at all for one notable individual: Juan Carlos Ferrero.

It's hard to think of anyone in tennis who works harder than Alex de Minaur, the Australian who next month will once again carry the hopes of a nation as he tries to become the first home winner of the men's title at the Australian Open for 50 years. No one is faster around the court, no one more diligent off it than the 26-year-old. It's a work ethic that has helped him to 10 titles so far in his career and he ends 2025 as the world No 7, his highest year-end ranking, and having won the prestigious Newcombe medal for a fourth time.

Big tennis events, such as the French Open, the U.S. Open, and Wimbledon, tend to top travelers' dream lists. The January tournament in Australia, on the other hand, can feel out of reach. But savvy sports fans are getting wise to the fact that the annual event in Melbourne merits the long flight-not least because it happens in the Southern Hemisphere's summer. Sometimes called the Happy Slam, the Australian Open has earned a reputation for good times, cultivating a feel-good atmosphere across nearly 100 riverside acres of Melbourne Park.

For me, what's missing is the complete feedback of where my level is. That's going to come slowly with time playing.