Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari have learned their opening-round opponents at the Australian Open, with the Greek pair facing contrasting early tests as the season’s first Grand Slam gets underway at Melbourne Park.
Tsitsipas will open his campaign against Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki, a talented young baseliner who has shown he can trouble higher-ranked opponents.
A former finalist in Melbourne, Tsitsipas enters the tournament looking to reset after an inconsistent 2025 season, with the Australian Open once again presenting an opportunity to rediscover his best form on a surface that has historically suited his game.
The draw offers little margin for error, with a number of top seeds and in-form players lying in wait should Tsitsipas progress through the opening rounds.
While he is no longer among the very top seeds, he’s seeded 31 for this year’s event, the 27-year-old’s experience in Grand Slam tennis makes him a dangerous proposition if he can build early momentum.
On the women’s side, Sakkari will face France’s Léolia Jeanjean in the first round.
Sakkari arrives in Melbourne determined to turn consistency into deeper Grand Slam runs after a mixed 2025.
Her section of the draw is packed with quality, meaning a strong start will be crucial if she is to push into the second week of the tournament.
With the Australian Open set to begin on Sunday, both Tsitsipas and Sakkari will be keen to make early statements in Melbourne.