If the ATP has any say in it, the Australian Open is staying put in Melbourne forever as the season-opening grand slam once again boasts record crowds and bumper TV ratings. Officially branded the grand slam of Asia Pacific, the Open could conceivably come under threat from the likes of cashed-up China or Saudi Arabia.

To most of us, mention Saudi Arabia and visions of blindingly hot deserts are conjured up, but the two men reliving an epic 1927 road trip between London and Melbourne reckon northern Australia tops the Middle East for roasting.

Coco Gauff has made improvements to her serving and her forehand. And the strides in both of those areas are among the reasons she's considered one of the few women ready to challenge two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka for the title at the Australian Open.

Saudi weighs support - Saudi Arabia cut ties with Assad's government in 2012 and had long openly championed his overthrow. But in 2023 it hosted an Arab League meeting at which Assad was welcomed ...

The last time they met, Djokovic defeated Nadal in the 2024 Paris Olympics on the clay courts of Roland Garros (not counting the exhibition at the Six Kings Slam). Tennis fans can follow Sports Illustrated's Serve on SI for all the most important news from the sport.

Jessica Pegula feels the decision to give herself an extra week to recover from a niggling knee injury has paid off as the American heads into the Australian Open on the back of a run to the final of the tune-up tournament in Adelaide.

Considering the challenges Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski and her doubles partner Erin Routliffe faced ahead of the Australian Open, including limited preparation, a semifinal finish in the women’s doubles was a good result.

On top of his £100k Australian Open prize cheque, Fonseca earned an eye-watering sum when he won the Next Gen ATP Finals in Saudi Arabia at the end of 2024. As an undefeated champion, the Brazilian banked £424k for winning the aged 20-and-under event. Fonseca joined the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in the list of tournament champions.

There has never been a more lucrative time to be a tennis player, with prize money at the Australian Open doubling in the last 10 years.

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Socceroos coach Tony Popovic says Daniel Arzani is a prime example of players who need to step up if Australia are to directly qualify for the World Cup.

ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi has addressed speculation the Australian Open could be on the move from Melbourne Park, with cashed up China or Saudi Arabia looming large.