Overview
- The main draw begins Sunday in Melbourne, with Carlos Alcaraz facing Adam Walton and Aryna Sabalenka opening against Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah.
- Emma Raducanu plays Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the second night slot on Margaret Court Arena after a men’s match, raising the prospect of a very late start.
- Raducanu’s build‑up was curtailed by a right‑foot bone bruise; she withdrew from the United Cup, said she only began hitting two weeks ago, and lost to Taylah Preston in Hobart after an opening win.
- Injury specialist Stephen Smith cautioned that overloading a bone bruise could lead to a stress fracture, and Mats Wilander predicted a modest run as she rebuilds form.
- Venus Williams returns with a wildcard at 45 and is set to become the oldest woman to compete in the Australian Open main draw, opening against Olga Danilovic.