Australian Open 2025 Kicks Off with Record Attendance and Upsets

MELBOURNE, Australia — The 2025 Australian Open, marking its 120th anniversary, has begun with record-breaking attendance and early upsets, captivating tennis fans worldwide. The tournament, which started on January 12, features top players like Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and local hero Nick Kyrgios, who faced a shocking first-round defeat.

The event, held at Melbourne Park, saw a record 95,290 attendees on its second day, surpassing the previous high of 94,854 set in 2023. The tournament’s schedule, running from 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. local time, poses a challenge for Spanish viewers due to the 10-hour time difference. However, the final rounds will start at 9:30 a.m., making it slightly more accessible.

Kyrgios’ loss to Jacob Fearnley, with scores of 7-6, 6-2, and 7-6, hinted at a possible retirement for the Australian star. Another surprise came when Stefanos Tsitsipás was defeated by American Alex Michelsen, 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, and 6-4, marking an early disappointment in the competition.

On a brighter note, Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the next round after defeating Kazakhstan’s Aleksandr Shevchenko, 6-1, 7-5, and 6-1. Alcaraz is set to face Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka on January 15. Other Spanish players, including Roberto Carballés, Alejandro Davidovich, and Pedro Martínez, also progressed, while Jaume Munar and Martín Landaluce were eliminated.

Spanish fans can catch all the action exclusively on Eurosport and its online platforms. The tournament continues to draw global attention, with matches like the upcoming clash between Spain’s Paula Badosa and Australia’s Talia Gibson, scheduled for January 15 at 11:00 a.m. Spanish time. Badosa, the 11th seed, aims to surpass her previous best by reaching the fourth round, while Gibson, a wildcard entry, seeks to build on her first Grand Slam victory.