Everything you need to know ahead of the Australian Open when Novak Djokovic returns to Melbourne Park

Twelve months after the Covid-19 drama and political controversies, the focus should be firmly on the pitch when the Australian Open begins on Monday.

A year after Novak Djokovic was controversially deported for failing to comply with current Covid-19 vaccination restrictions, he returns to Melbourne Park for a record-breaking 10th Australian Open title.

The Serb has suffered two injury scares ahead of the first Major of the season, with a hamstring strain worrying him in Adelaide last week and a knee problem forcing him to abandon a training game on Tuesday.

Reigning champion Rafael Nadal has also had less than ideal preparation, losing twice in the United Cup, but has staved off injury concerns as he seeks a record 23rd Grand Slam title.

Home favorite Nick Kyrgios is also unfit after suffering an ankle injury in Dubai last month and the usual concerns are his quest for a first Grand Slam crown, while world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz is out with an injury withdrawn from the tournament.

In the women’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek is the overwhelming favorite to succeed Ashleigh Barty, who triumphed at Melbourne Park last year before retiring two months later.

The Pole won the French Open and US Open last year, part of an amazing run that has seen her reach nine finals and win eight tournaments.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.

Rafael Nadal won the 2022 Australian Open after beating Daniil Medvedev in five sets

When does the Australian Open start?

The first Major of 2023 begins on Monday 16 January at its traditional home of Melbourne Park and concludes with the men’s singles final on 29 January.

The women’s singles final is scheduled for January 28th, as will the men’s and women’s doubles, which start on January 18th.

The mixed doubles meanwhile run from January 19th to 29th.

Daytime sessions begin at 11am AEDT (midnight UK, 7pm ET), night sessions begin at 7pm AEDT (8am UK time, 3am ET).

Nick Kyrgios wants to win his first Grand Slam tournament at Melbourne Park

How to watch and stream the Australian Open on TV

Channel Nine and its sister channel 9Gem have exclusive rights to the Australian Open in Australia and will broadcast most of the key matches in over 270 hours of live coverage.

Each match in the tournament can also be streamed live and on-demand across a variety of devices on Nine’s digital platform, 9Now.

Eurosport has the exclusive rights to broadcast the Australian Open in the UK, with over 250 hours of coverage planned on Eurosport 1 (Sky channel 410, BT 435, Virgin 521), the Eurosport app and the Eurosport website.

Fans can also stream the tournament live and on-demand via the Discovery+ app.

Meanwhile, viewers in the US will need to tune in to ESPN and ESPN2 to follow the tournament, which can also be streamed live on ESPN+.

THE END: Channel Nine, 9Gem, 9Now

UNITED KINGDOM: Eurosport 1, Eurosport App, Eurosport Website

US: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+

Who are the top seeds at the Australian Open 2023?

Reigning champion Rafael Nadal is ranked No. 1 in men’s singles, while world No. 1 is ranked No. 1 in women’s.

Nick Kyrgios and Alex de Minaur are the top-ranked Australians in the men’s tournament at 19 and 22 respectively, but there are no Aussies in the women’s tournament after Ash Barty retired.

Men’s top 10

1. Rafael Nadal (Spain)
2. Casper Rudd (Norway)
3. Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece)
4. Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
5. Andrey Rublev (Russia)
6. Felix Auger-Aliassime (Canada)
7. Daniil Medvedev (Russia)
8. Taylor Fritz (USA)
9. Holger Rune (Denmark)
10. Hubert Hurkacz (Poland)

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek is the overwhelming favorite to win the women’s tournament

The top 10 women

1. Iga Swiatek (Poland)
2. Ons Jabeur (Tunisia)
3. Jessica Pegula (USA)
4. Caroline Garcia (France)
5. Arina Sabalenka (Russia)
6. Maria Sakkari (Greece)
7. CocoGauff (USA)
8. Daria Kasatkina (Russia)
9. Veronica Kudermetova (Russia)
10. Madison Keys (USA)

Who won the Australian Open last year?

Rafael Nadal claimed a record 21st Grand Slam singles after coming back after straight sets to beat Daniil Medvedev in an epic final at Rod Laver Arena.

A day earlier, Ash beat Barty Danielle Collins in straight sets to end Australia’s 44-year wait for a singles champion in Melbourne

Ashleigh Barty won the Australian Open last year but dropped out two months later

What is the prize money at the Australian Open?

The prize pool for this year’s tournament is a record $76.5 million, up 3.4 percent from last year.

The singles champions will each receive $2.97 million, while the winning teams in men’s and women’s doubles will receive $695,000.

Reaching the second round in the singles tournament returns just over $106,000.

Will Novak Djokovic play?

The 35-year-old missed last year’s Australian Open following his controversial deportation after refusing to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and feared an injury this week.

The Serb required treatment on his left leg during an exhibition practice match against Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday, just days after struggling through hamstring strains to win the Adelaide International.

However, Djokovic recovered to take part in an exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios on Friday and his quest for a record-breaking 10th Australian Open crown is expected to begin as planned against Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena.

Novak Djokovic returns to Melbourne Park a year after his controversial deportation from Australia for failing to comply with Covid-19 vaccination measures

Where is Roger Federer?

The 20-time Grand Slam champion will be watching the Australian Open on TV after announcing his retirement last year.

The Swiss legend enjoyed a special feeling with Melbourne Park, winning the tournament six times and reaching the semi-finals a further eight times, including his most recent visit in 2020.

Any other notable absences?

Serena Williams, a seven-time champion at Melbourne Park, and reigning women’s champion Ash Barty will join Federer on the sidelines after retiring in 2022.

Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka is out after announcing she is pregnant, while Venus Williams is out through injury, as are men’s No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and Australian star Ajla Tomljanovic.

Meanwhile, Bernard Tomic’s 15-year streak of appearances at the Australian Open has come to an end after the bad boy of Australian tennis missed out on a wildcard spot.