Melbourne, January 13–26, 2025 – The Australian Open 2025 concluded after two thrilling weeks at Melbourne Park, delivering unforgettable victories, bold innovations, and record-breaking achievements. With total prize money of $96.5 million, both singles champions walked away with $3.5 million each — a new milestone in Grand Slam tennis.

🏆 Champions & Highlights

• Men’s Singles: Alexander Zverev captured his first-ever Grand Slam title, defeating defending champion Jannik Sinner in a dramatic final. Sinner’s campaign was overshadowed by an ongoing doping investigation.

• Women’s Singles: Aryna Sabalenka defended her crown, overpowering Madison Keys in straight sets. Keys’ aggressive net play couldn’t match Sabalenka’s relentless power from the baseline.

• Surprises: Iga Świątek fell in the semifinals, while Coco Gauff made a shock first-round exit — proving once again how unpredictable the Open can be.

🔧 Rule Changes & Tech Innovations

• 10-Point Final Set Tiebreak: Introduced across all singles matches, reducing match times by up to 90 minutes.

• Hawk-Eye Live & VAR: Human line judges were fully replaced by automated officiating, with Video Review covering net touches and foot faults.

• Extreme Heat Policy: Matches paused automatically when WBGT exceeded 32.2°C, with roofed courts prioritized.

💰 Sponsorship & Global Reach

• Commercial Impact: A record 35 sponsors generated $84.3 million, with Kia continuing as lead sponsor and newcomers like Red Bull and Grey Goose joining.

• Massive Viewership: The men’s final attracted 35 million viewers in Italy and 4.2 million in Australia via Channel Nine.

• Charity Showcase: Zheng Qinwen and Novak Djokovic teamed up for a special mixed doubles charity match, delighting fans before the main draw.

🌱 Sustainability & Player Support

• Eco-Friendly Open: 100% renewable energy, plastic-free fan zones, and bottle recycling rewards highlighted the event’s commitment to sustainability.

• More Support for Athletes: First-round losers saw a 15% prize increase, while qualifying draws expanded to 128 players, giving lower-ranked athletes more opportunities.