Australian Open 2024 Day 1 Order of play: Schedule and how to watch with Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka in action
Djokovic begins his quest for a record-extending 11th crown in Melbourne and 25th Grand Slam title against Croatia’s Dino Prizmic, who came through qualifying to book his spot in the main draw.
Elsewhere, Jannik Sinner, Andrey Rublev, Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sakkari are also part of a star-studded line-up on the first day of the year’s opening Grand Slam.
How to watch and stream the 2024 Australian Open
Every day of the year’s first Grand Slam from January 14 to 28 will be live on Eurosport and discovery+.
Eurosport is home to round-the-clock coverage from Melbourne, which begins on Sunday at 01:00 UK time on Eurosport 1 and 04:30 on Eurosport 2.
Top men’s match – Novak Djokovic v Dino Prizmic
There are few superlatives left to describe the exploits of Djokovic in a record-breaking career, and nowhere has he been more successful than in Melbourne.
Now 36, he captured his first of 10 Australian Opens in 2008 when he beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets.
He was last in action when he lost to Alex de Minaur in the United Cup after struggling with a wrist issue, although he insisted he would be fully fit in time for his title defence.
Djokovic hasn’t lost in the first round in Melbourne since 2006, so the task facing Prizmic could hardly be greater.
The Croatian beat Mariano Navone, Duje Ajdukovic and Aziz Dougaz to clinch a spot in the draw for what will be his maiden Grand Slam appearance.
The Rod Laver Arena will host the Djokovic-Prizmic showdown that opens the night session.
Top women’s match – Caroline Wozniacki v Magda Linette
Sabalenka plays Seidel to kick-start the defence of her crown she won in such thrilling fashion against Elena Rybakina 12 months ago, but elsewhere there is a mouthwatering clash between Wozniacki and Poland’s Magda Linette.
Wozniacki, the 2018 Australian Open champion, retired after a third-round loss in Melbourne in 2020 but returned to the tour last year.
She has yet to make it beyond the round of 16 in an event on her comeback and will have to overcome the 20th seed on Sunday if she is to make the second round.
Linette had never made it past the third round in a Grand Slam until her run to the Australian Open semi-finals last year, where she lost to Sabalenka in straight sets.
It has the potential to be a cracker of a contest that begins the night session action inside the Margaret Court Arena.
Who else is playing on day one of the 2024 Australian Open?
Jodie Burrage is the only Brit in action on day one as she prepares to make her Australian Open debut against Tamara Korpatsch on Court 13, while there plenty of big names featured elsewhere.
Sinner, who finished 2023 in scintillating form, takes on Botic van de Zandschulp on Rod Laver from 1:00am UK time. The Italian fourth seed has been tipped by many to challenge for his first Grand Slam in Australia so will be looking to make serene progress through his opening round.
Davis Cup highlights: Sinner saves three match points to beat Djokovic and keep tie alive
Men’s fifth seed Andrey Rublev also begins his 2024 Grand Slam campaign. His match against Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild is second on Margaret Court.
American duo Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe are part of the day one schedule and are set to take on Facundo Diaz Acosta and Borna Coric respectively.
In the women’s singles, as well as Sabalenka and Wozniacki, eighth seed Sakkari plays Nao Hibino on Rod Laver in the day session, which begins at 01:00am UK time.
The Greek endured a difficult Grand Slam campaign in 2023, so will be eager to rediscover the form that took her to the semis of the French and US Opens in 2021.
Elsewhere, Liudmila Samsonova, the 13th seed, takes on Amanda Anisimova, and Leylah Fernandez, who lost to Emma Raducanu in the 2021 US Open final, faces qualifier Sara Bejlek.
Show courts order of play, singles – Sunday, January 12 (all UK times)
Rod Laver Arena
- Jannik Sinner [4] v Botic van de Zandschulp
- Maria Sakkari [8] v Nao Hibino
Night session (from 08:00)
- Novak Djokovic [1] v Dino Prizmic
- Ella Seidel v Aryna Sabalenka [2]
Margaret Court Arena
- Mai Hontama v Barbora Krejcikova [9]
- Thiago Seyboth Wild v Andrey Rublev [5]
Night session (from 08:00)
- Magda Linette [20] v Caroline Wozniacki
- Frances Tiafoe [17] v Borna Coric
John Cain Arena
- Leylah Fernandez [32] v Sara Bejlek
- Dane Sweeny v Francisco Cerundolo [22]
Day session (not before 05:00)
- Taylor Fritz [12] v Facundo Diaz Acosta
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