Welcome to the Australian Open Qualifying Tournament. In Melbourne, our Aus Open flags are already flying, and you can get into tennis fever early at Melbourne Park for AO Opening Week 6-11 January 2025. The Australian Open sees the world’s best tennis players competing for the year’s first Grand Slam championship title.
So, did you know you can enjoy a wonderful day of tennis at the Australian Open Qualifying Tournament on 6 -9 January 2025 during Opening Week?
Won’t you come for a wander with me?
What is AO Opening Week?
Opening Week is held before the Australian Open when Melbourne Park is open for the Qualifying Singles Tournament (Monday-Thursday, January 6-9) and a whole heap more!
In addition to the Qualifying tournament, you can also buy tickets to attend showdown matches (player participation is subject to change):
Tuesday 7th January: 4 pm Sinner Vs Popyrin
Wednesday 8th January: The Rising Stars with Alcaraz and De Minaur
Thursday 9th January: A night with Novak and friends
Friday 10th January: The Game Changers with Sinner, Popyrin and De Minuar
Saturday 11 January: Opening Week concludes with Kids Tennis Day
It is your opportunity to enjoy Melbourne Park without the crowds at a bargain price. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
Why we love the Qualifying Singles Tournament
We started hosting professional tennis players, their partners, and coaches competing at the Australian Open in 2008 and have continued to this day. It has given us a unique insight into the world of professional tennis.
Some years, this involved the qualifying tournament. Much as every player would love to walk straight into the Asia Pacific Grand Slam, entry via ‘Qualies’ into the main draw is particularly exciting for us all.
What is the Australian Open Qualifying Tournament?
The 2025 AO Qualifying Tournament offers 128 male and female players, just outside the world’s top 100 pro tennis players (including 18 wildcard players) an opportunity for one of 16 qualifying places in the Australian Open main draw. To achieve this, they must play and win three consecutive matches.
This year, the Qualifying Tournament is held between Monday, 6th January, and Thursday, 9th January 2025. It is your opportunity to watch the next generation’s brightest stars battle for a chance to qualify for AO25.
Where is the Aus Open Qualifying Tournament held?
It’s held at Melbourne Park, home of the Australian Open. What I enjoy most about attending ‘Qualies’ as the players call it, is that sense of getting a taste of the AO25 before most people. Sure, not everything is open, but you get a real feel of the behind-the-scenes effort to put on one of the world’s best sporting events.
The Qualifying Tournament is held in Kia Arena, 1573 Arena, and on the outside courts from Court 3 to Court 17.
You never know who you might bump into as you wander around.
Who is playing in the Qualifying Tournament in 2025
Full details of players are found below:
Women’s AO Qualifying Singles (Simona Halep has subsequently withdrawn)
This year line up includes former top 10 players Richard Gasquet, French tennis star, and Ekaterina Makarova. Former top 20 players Vavarva Lepchenko, with top 30 players Dan Evans (British) Chris Eubanks (US), and Mona Barthel (German.)
The in-form Kimberly Birrell headlines the 25 Australian players who begin their Australian Open 2025 qualifying campaigns this week. Many eyes will also be on Cruz Hewitt, who, at age 16, is the youngest member of the Australian men’s qualifying contingent.
Results from Day One: ausopen.com/articles/news/ao-qualifying-youth-and-experience-on-show
How much does it cost?
This year, Qualifying Tournament entry costs $15 per ticket via Ticketmaster.
What makes the Australian Open Qualifying Tournament so special?
- It’s a bargain, not quite so much of a bargain when it was free, but at $15 per ticket, it keeps tennis accessible.
- There are virtually no queues, and you can walk straight in – enjoy.
- Gates open at 9.30 am, and matches start at 10 am AEDT. Find the 2025 Match Schedule here
- The matches can be amazing. The 2025 total prize money is A$96.5 million ($59.90 million) there is a lot at stake.
- The Aus Open shop is open. Buy your favourite tennis shirt, hat, or towel before stocks run out.
Empty Seats!
What’s the first thing you notice? Is it all the empty seats? You won’t find this in the following weeks. Where else in the world can I invite all my girlfriends to join me in watching professional tennis, and we can have the whole grandstand for ourselves?
Watching Practice Matches
In addition to the qualifying competition matches, fans have the opportunity to watch some high-profile players’ practice matches.
Kids Tennis Day
Whether you’re a big or little kid, I have always enjoyed this Saturday when future Champions overrun Melbourne Park! The Aus Open has always been fantastic for all the extra things that happen around tennis. The schedule this year is phenomenal!
Kids Tennis Day, presented by Emirates, is the smash hit for the whole family! Grab the kids and join us for a day of non-stop fun and excitement these summer holidays. Jam-packed with performances, character appearances, arena spectaculars, and so much more.
Melbourne Park
It’s exciting wandering Melbourne Park before the crowds. Every year at Melbourne Park, the changes are incredible, and it’s fun to see what’s new.
Tennis Australia recognises that the rest of Asia would love to get their hands on this Grand Slam. Every year the impressive investment in the tournament ensures new ‘wows’ to exceed players’ and fans’ expectations. But don’t just take my word for it, get yourselves down to Melbourne Park and see what you think, it won’t break the bank!
Australian Open Qualifying Tournament Final Details
- All the entry requirements and tickets are here.
- For all the latest information, be sure to check out the Australian Open website here.
- Little Wandering Wren’s What to Pack for the Australian Open
- Little Wandering Wren’s Keeping your cool at the Australian Open.
- Download the AO App to have all the information needed at your fingertips.
I may be completely biased towards our Happy Slam, as the players call the Australian Open, but I reckon watching world-class tennis for $15 is the best value tennis ticket in town; you’d be mad to miss out.
Have fun at the Australian Open Qualifying Tournament. Happy watching!
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10 comments
The $15 ticket price does sound good. Too bad we are so far away. Enjoy and happy watching to you!
Take care, have a great week ahead.
Too bad indeed Eileen I would so love to show you around Melbourne. It is the best time of year to be in the World’s most liveable city. The tennis adds to the excitement.
Have a lovely weekend.
Wren x
Greetings from Dominical, Costa Rica. I love your new wren logo! It has great energy. So cute. Happy travels in 2023!
Thank you Sharon, I love my Wren logo too! Happy travels this year to you too!
Wren x
Enjoy the tennis, and enjoy your January days 🙂
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan – I’m excited the tennis is back across the globe. I’m looking forward to Wimbledon this year too!
Have a great week ahead
Wren x
…Jenny, I wish you a new year filled with happiness, good health and exciting travels.
Thanks so much Tom, and the same to you. Our Melbourne New Year is off to a great start back at the Australian Open tennis!
Wow… I had seen Agassi and Boris Becker in Munich. I believe it was 1989. I wished, I could see the Australian Open now.
It’s Thursday, my time to write comments. January starts with another round and I’m looking forward to a week of wonderful posts for MosaicMonday. Thank you too for your nice comment about the ears of the squirrel.
Thank you for your participation, dear blog friend … interesting to read!
Greetings from Heidrun
Thank you Heidrun for stopping by, I am happy that you too have enjoyed the tennis in the past. Agassi and Boris Becker too great names of their day.
have a great week ahead, I will be enjoying more tennis for sure!
Wren x