Thoughts on the 2025 Australian Open

Sinner's solid defence, Keys' remarkable run, questions for Novak and lots more in my recap of the tournament

By Stephen Higgins | 28th January 2025

My musings on a tournament where Jannik Sinner continued his dominance, Madison Keys overcame her final fears and some fresh faces on the men's side lit up Melbourne Park.

Sinner’s Solid Defence

In my season preview, I wondered if the spectre of that WADA appeal could impact Jannik Sinner’s mentality? Well it certainly didn’t seem so in Melbourne as the Italian, bar for a couple of dropped sets, dominated the men’s draw.

After an interesting fourth round clash with Holger Rune, the world no.1 was much too good for Alex de Minaur, Ben Shelton and then Alexander Zverev in the final.

In the showpiece match, the 23-year-old once again displayed his winning combination of consistent power from the back, effective serving, incredible shotmaking in defence and that unshakeable demeanour. There was simply no part of the Italian’s game that Zverev could puncture, and Sinner wasn’t even in top gear.

He is the first Italian to lift three major singles titles and can boast of a number of ridiculous stats including 21 consecutive match wins and nine titles in the past 12 months.

It’s even more remarkable that Sinner can maintain such a level of excellence given the constant shadow of that CAS hearing (scheduled for April). He can’t really look ahead to Roland Garros until the case is resolved, but for the moment, Sinner is untouchable on court.

Keys Takes Second Chance

Almost eight years ago, Madison Keys reached the US Open final after a strong run that became more convincing the closer she got to the last day. The American only gave up nine games in total during her quarter and semi-final matches in that event, and was favoured to overwhelm Sloane Stephens with her mammoth power. But it did not work out that way.

As you probably remember, Keys could not handle the gargantuan backdrop and sadly wilted on Arthur Ashe. She lost 3-6 0-6 and did not reach another major final…until last Saturday.

Now 29, Keys dispelled those demons in some style over the fortnight in Melbourne. While the thunderous power is still very much there, the American has changed racquet and incrementally improved her movement, decision making, calmness and perspective.

Those additions were needed as she had to overcome a treacherous path that included Danielle Collins, Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina, Iga Swiatek and in the final, world no.1 and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

She was fearless and brilliant, and it was a real joy to watch Keys slug it out with Sabalenka in that exciting third set. With the help of therapy and the support of her coach/husband Bjorn Fratangelo, it looks like the American can really enjoy her success.

As she explained after the match on WTA: “I still really wanted to win a Grand Slam. I just wasn’t laying in bed at night thinking I’m a failure if I don’t win one anymore. These are two different things, but I just feel like it’s healthier to just want to win one.”

Now she has.

Will It Ever Happen For Zverev?

While a strange thing to say about an underdog, I felt that almost all the pressure was on Alexander Zverev before Sunday’s contest. While Sinner was the defending champion and world no.1, the German had already endured two painful outings in grand slam finals.

Back in 2020 at Flushing Meadows, he was two sets up against a badly misfiring Dominic Thiem before he lost it in five. Then, last summer in Paris, the German was two sets to one up over Carlos Alcaraz before the Spaniard took the initiative and cruised home.

Having won everything else in the game and now 27, how would it look if Zverev was again outclassed by a younger player on the biggest stage? Not great is the answer.

While Sinner was good, Zverev was unable to force the Italian to find his best form. Apart from the second set where he held serve solidly, the man from Hamburg simply didn’t have enough to really trouble the world no.1 and coughed up 45 unforced errors.

No doubt disappointed after the match finished, Zverev then had his presentation speech interrupted by a woman who chanted in favour of the two women that have accused the German of domestic abuse. Zverev has always denied these accusations.

With his enormous serve and powerful game, Zverev will continue to challenge at majors for the foreseeable future. The question is: after having to wait for the end of the Big Three’s dominance, has he been bypassed by the next generation too?

Onwards For Aryna

While Aryna Sabalenka would rather have lifted the magnificent Daphne Akhurst trophy on Saturday, she can’t really complain about the result and shouldn’t be too critical of herself.

After a storming start from Keys, Sabalenka impressively reset the match in the second set to force a decider. As the two juggernauts relentlessly tried to impose themselves in the final set, it was a thrilling watch and the world no.1 forced Keys to come up with superb tennis to clinch it.

After another brilliant tournament for Sabalenka, she will roll into the rest of the season as strong as ever.

Novak Still Searches For No.25

Two years ago, Novak Djokovic enjoyed a comfortable victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas as he lifted the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup for the 10th time. The Serb finished 2023 with three of the four grand slams in his pocket and was looking to add major no.25 to his collection.

He’s still waiting.

As Andy Murray (Djokovic’s current coach) knows all too well, an athlete’s body generally gives in before their mind. After a frankly ridiculous performance over Carlos Alcaraz whilst injured, it was sad to see the Serb retire after a solitary set against Zverev in the semis.

After two decades of bending his body to reach extraordinary heights, has it reached breaking point? While Djokovic’s game can still compete with the best, will his body continue to play ball?

Given the slog that’s required on the clay, the 37-year-old may already be looking at Wimbledon as his best hope to nab one more slam.

Still Work Ahead For Swiatek

After early exits in 2022 and 2023, Iga Swiatek vanquished those memories at least with her impressive run to the last four in this edition.

The 23-year-old demolished the field before the unstoppable force of Keys stopped her in the semis. While the fortnight belonged to the American, the loss was in keeping with the Pole’s struggles since last summer.

After Roland Garros, Swiatek underperformed at Wimbledon and the US Open before crashing out of the group stage at the WTA Finals. She looked good at the United Cup but then fell again to Coco Gauff who she used to beat for fun.

Away from Paris, there seems to be some stagnation in Swiatek’s game. Can Wim Fissette add fresh elements to her? While an argument can be made over more variety, the Pole’s serve simply has to improve. So far in 2025, Swiatek has only struck 20 aces in 11 matches while offering up 30 double faults.

Carlos Underwhelms

Another top player who will not be overjoyed by their Melbourne campaign is Carlos Alcaraz. After a solid progression through the draw, the Spaniard turned it on towards the end of the first set against Djokovic in the quarters as the Serb struggled. Then, when the 24-time champion lifted his game, the 21-year-old did not follow suit.

While it is never a questionable result to lose to someone like Djokovic, I was surprised at how Alcaraz struggled to stick with him as in recent encounters at Wimbledon and the Olympics. Maybe he just needs more matches to really get going in 2025?

Coco’s Conundrum

After a highly impressive United Cup campaign, where the 20-year–old won all her matches, Coco Gauff came into Melbourne in great shape and ready to make an impact. With her forehand looking stable again, I thought the American could go really deep over the fortnight.

But unfortunately for the former US Open champion, the stroke once again let her down in a crucial match as she made 28 errors on that side during her quarter-final loss to Paula Badosa.

We may just be spoilt by the almost seamless game additions made by the likes of Djokovic. We forget how difficult it is for a professional to change and improve a stroke. At least Coco has plenty of time to get the forehand where she needs it to be.

And just a word on Badosa who put together a remarkable run to the last four less than two years after a career threatening back injury. Kudos.

Breakthrough Men

As if there weren’t enough American players at the top of the game, two more made sizable impacts in Melbourne over the fortnight.

In just his fifth grand slam, 20-year-old Alex Michelsen made it to the fourth round whilst beating veterans such as Stefanos Tsitsipas and Karen Khachanov. Then there’s 19-year-old qualifier Learner Tien, who upset last year’s finalist Daniil Medvedev in round two en route to his own fourth round berth.

Moving south for a moment, how about 18-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca, who knocked Andrey Rublev out in round one and even outhit the Russian when it came to forehands!