Australian Open 2023: What is the schedule? When is the draw? How to watch? Are Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal playing?

The 2023 Australian Open is fast approaching.

Ashleigh Barty will not be back to defend her women’s title following her retirement so world No. 1 Iga Swiatek will start as the strong favourite – she will be looking to win the fourth major of her career. Among the other contenders will be Ons Jabeur, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff.

When is the 2023 Australian Open?

The 2023 Australian Open main draw starts on Monday, January 16 and runs until Sunday, January 29.

Qualifying begins on Monday, January 9.

What’s the 2023 Australian Open schedule?

The tournament starts on January 16 and the main day sessions each day begin at midnight UK time, until the semi-finals.

The night sessions get under way at 8am UK time.

• Monday, January 9 – Men’s and women’s singles qualifying starts
• Monday, January 16 – Men’s and women’s first-round singles matches
• Tuesday, January 17 – Men’s and women’s first-round singles matches
• Wednesday, January 18 – Men’s and women’s second-round singles matches
• Thursday, January 19 – Men’s and women’s second-round singles matches
• Friday, January 20 – Men’s and women’s third-round singles matches
• Saturday, January 21 – Men’s and women’s third-round singles matches
• Sunday, January 22 – Men’s and women’s fourth-round singles matches
• Monday, January 23 – Men’s and women’s fourth-round singles matches
• Tuesday, January 24 – Men’s and women’s singles quarter-finals
• Wednesday, January 25 – Men’s and women’s singles quarter-finals
• Thursday, January 26 – Women’s singles semi-finals
• Friday, January 27 – Men’s singles semi-finals
• Saturday, January 28 – Women’s singles final, men’s doubles final
• Sunday, January 29 – Men’s singles final, women’s double final

When is the draw for the 2023 Australian Open?

The draw is expected to take place on Thursday, January 12.

Who are the 2023 Australian Open defending champions?

Rafael Nadal will be the defending men’s champion after beating Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling 2022 final. Nadal came back from two sets down to stun Medvedev and lift a 21st Grand Slam title.

Ashleigh Barty became the first Australian champion in 44 years in 2022, but she will not be back this time as she has retired from tennis.

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek made the semi-finals in 2022 and will be hoping to go one better in January as the pre-tournament favourite.

Is Djokovic playing the 2023 Australian Open?

Novak Djokovic will be back in Melbourne this time.

Djokovic is a nine-time winner of the Australian Open and will be looking to equal Nadal’s tally of 22 Grand Slam singles titles.

How to watch Australian Open 2033 online?

How can I watch Australian Open 2023 on UK TV?

The first Grand Slam of the year is also available on Eurosport 1 – Sky channel 410, BT 435, Virgin 521 – and Eurosport 2 – Sky 411, BT 436, Virgin 522. You can also watch it all via the Eurosport app, and at Eurosport.co.uk.

All the latest news, analysis and video content can be enjoyed on Eurosport.co.uk’s dedicated Australian Open page, with the hub pulling all the content together in one place.

How to watch and live stream the Australian Open in the UK

The 2023 Australian Open is the second of a new 10-year partnership between Discovery and Tennis Australia. Meaning that the first Grand Slam of the year will be live on Discovery’s platforms.

What’s the 2023 Australian Open prize money?

The prize money for the 2023 Australian Open totals at $76.5m AUS (approx £42.74m), which is up 3.4 per cent on 2022.

Players reaching the first and second rounds will see increases of around three per cent from last year, while men’s and women’s singles semi-finalists will earn $925,000 AUS (approx £516,830).

The singles champions will each take home $2.975m AUS (£1.67m).

Tournament director Craig Tiley said: “We’ve upped prize money for every round from qualifying through to the finals, with the major increases in the early rounds, where these substantial rewards help players invest in their own careers and in many cases, set themselves up for success throughout the year.”

Are Russians and Belarusians allowed to play the 2023 Australian Open?

Yes. Russians and Belarusian players will be permitted to compete in Melbourne, but they will do so under a neutral flag, as they have been doing on tour since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.

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