The Australian Open features notable seeded players like Ugo Humbert, Arthur Fils, and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, each seeking strong performances. Humbert aims for a standout Grand Slam showing, while Fils looks to regain his rhythm after a shaky recent performance. Mpetshi Perricard, a rising star, faces Gaël Monfils in his first Major as a seeded player. Dark horse Alexandre Müller enters with confidence after a recent title, and returning contenders include Caroline Garcia and Diane Parry, both navigating challenging first-round matches.
Anticipated Performers
The men’s draw boasts three seeded players: Ugo Humbert (14th), Arthur Fils (20th), and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (30th). Ugo Humbert has established himself as a formidable competitor on hard courts, having an impressive 2024 season with a victory at the ATP 500 in Dubai and a finals appearance at the Rolex Paris Masters. To solidify his reputation as a top player on this surface, he is in search of a standout performance in a Grand Slam.
Similarly, Arthur Fils has made significant strides in 2024, having clinched three titles last season (including Bordeaux, Hamburg, and Tokyo) and breaking into the top 20. He aims to replicate his best Major showing, reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon 2024. After a disappointing performance at the Next Gen Masters and a lackluster outing in Hong Kong, he must find his rhythm in Australia to uphold his ranking. A potential third-round clash with Humbert is on the horizon.
On another note, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard has showcased his impressive late 2024 form. Honored with the ATP Award for best progress, this towering 2m03 server made headlines at the Brisbane tournament, reaching the semi-finals by defeating notable players like Kyrgios and Tiafoe, amassing an astounding 87 aces in just four matches. At just 21, he is ranked 30th, marking his highest position to date. In Australia, he will be a seeded player for the first time at a Major and faces veteran Gaël Monfils, who is 17 years older, in a fascinating first-round showdown.
Potential Dark Horse
Surprising many, Alexandre Müller recently triumphed at the ATP 250 in Hong Kong, securing his first-ever circuit title at the age of 27. Making history as only the second player to win an ATP tournament after consistently dropping the first set, he enters the Australian Open with confidence. To build on this momentum, the world number 56 must rise to the challenge against Portuguese player Nuno Borges, who is positioned 20 ranks higher at 36th.
In a remarkable comeback, Gaël Monfils showcased his talent in Auckland, rallying from a dire situation against Spaniard Pablo Martinez (down 6-1, 5-2) to win 1-6, 7-6, 6-3 in just over two hours. Now at 38, he continues to demonstrate his brilliance and will be a key player to watch, having reached the quarter-finals in Melbourne on two occasions (2016, 2022).
Returning Contenders
Caroline Garcia, former world number 4, is set to make her return at the Australian Open, four months after announcing a break for her mental health. Currently ranked 58th, she will face Naomi Osaka in the first round, a rematch from last year’s opening round which Garcia won. However, her recent hiatus may cast doubt on her performance as she navigates a challenging return.
The second-ranked French player, Diane Parry (66th), reached the third round in the previous edition. Following victories over Wang Xin and Rakhimova, she faced a tough defeat against rising star Mirra Andreeva. The 22-year-old from Nice, a gold medalist at the Youth Olympic Games in Rio 2018, will kick off her season in Australia against 18th-seeded Croatian Donna Vekic, a challenging opener.
Quirky quarter-finalist from the last Roland Garros, Corentin Moutet, known for his unconventional underhand serve, is set to start 2025 at the Australian Open. Having reached the third round three times in a competition he enjoys, he faces a tough draw against local player Alexei Popyrin, who is seeded 25th.
Stars of 2024 in Melbourne
The year 2024 was a standout period for French tennis in Australia, with three players reaching the coveted second week: two men and one woman. Adrian Mannarino, ranked 73rd in the ATP, had an extraordinary tournament, defeating the promising Ben Shelton (21st) in a grueling five-set match that lasted 4 hours and 46 minutes. His journey ended in the round of 16 against a relentless Novak Djokovic, who won effortlessly (6-0, 6-0, 6-3). Mannarino’s first challenge this year is against Karen Khachanov, seeded 19, a tough opening match.
Benefiting from a wildcard, young Arthur Cazaux made his debut in the main draw of the Australian Open last year. With a powerful serve and solid net play, the 22-year-old surprised many by defeating high-profile players like Holger Rune (13th in the world) but ultimately fell short against Hubert Hurkacz. This time, he faces a crucial test against 28th-seeded Sebastian Baez.
On the women’s side, Océane Dodin emerged as a delightful surprise, qualifying for the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time after defeating compatriot Clara Burel. However, she was outmatched by future finalist Qinwen Zheng (6-0, 6-3). Currently ranked 117th in the WTA, she will not compete in this new edition.
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