Australian Open 2024: What We Know So Far
4 min
See below for the answers to the most pertinent Australian Open questions. We’ll cover dates, attendances, prize money, and more.Australian Open 2024: What We Know So Far
Australian Open 2024: What We Know So Far
The 2024 Australian Open commences on January 14 and concludes on January 28. Here are some key dates for your calendar:Australian Open 2024: What We Know So Far
- Women’s Singles Final: Saturday, January 27
- Men’s Singles Final: Sunday, January 28
We also highly recommend checking out the qualifying competition from January 7-11, where you can find some of the most exciting qualifiers to follow in the main draw. Additionally, you can see the big names like Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, and Carlos Alcaraz warm up during the practice matches between January 8 and 11. This may give a vital insight into their form and performances.
Australian Open 2024: What We Know So Far
Melbourne became the Australian Open’s permanent home in 1972, attracting the largest crowds out of all other locations. The competition has also taken place in Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, and New Zealand.
Contestants originally played at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne, competing on grass courts similar to those at Wimbledon. The Australian Open’s fast-growing popularity during the 1980s required a change of location, with Flinders Park (now known as Melbourne Park) selected as the new destination.
Australian Open 2024: What We Know So Far
The Australian Open’s move to Flinders Park in 1988 also changed the court surface. A Rebound Ace hard court replaced the grass used at previous events, significantly changing the complexion of the tournament. Players had to shift their style to account for the slightly slower court speeds and inability to slide. It’s no surprise that Mats Wilander was the only player to win the Australian Open on grass and hard courts.
The Rebound Ace courts were replaced in 2008 by cushion acrylic surfaces prepared by Greenset Worldwide. This resulted in minor differences, mainly to do with heat retention and slightly slowing down ball speed. As of 2008, these courts are responsible for the iconic blue surfaces at the Australian Open.
Australian Open 2024: What We Know So Far
Eurosport has comprehensive Australian Open coverage on every day of the fortnight, either via the channel, app, or eurosport.com website. Elsewhere, you can also catch the action on streaming services like Discovery+. You may additionally be able to watch select matches via the live streaming service at Betsson.
Australian Open 2024: What We Know So Far
The Australian Open is nowhere near as strict as Wimbledon regarding its dress code for players. Competitors are largely able to wear what they like, within reason. Flamboyant colours are commonplace, as are innovative measures to beat the relentless heat. Rafael Nadal’s iconic sleeveless vest comes to mind, as does Serena Williams’ self-proclaimed “Serena-tard” in 2019.
Australian Open 2024: What We Know So Far
The 2024 Australian Open has gained plaudits far and wide for its equal prize money distribution between the men’s and women’s draws. The overall purse continues to soar, with AU$76.5 million to share among the contestants in 2023. This is 3.4% more than the previous year, illustrating the organiser’s determination to consistently enhance the rewards. The official purse for 2024 has yet to be announced, but you can see an approximate breakdown of the prize money distribution below:
| Singles | Doubles | Mixed Doubles | |
| Winner | AU$2,975,000 | A$695,000 | A$157,750 |
| Finalist | A$1,625,000 | A$370,000 | A$89,450 |
| Semi-Finals | A$925,000 | A$210,000 | A$47,500 |
| Quarter-Finals | A$555,250 | A$116,500 | A$25,250 |
| Fourth-Round | A$338,250 | A$67,250 | A$12,650 |
| Third-Round | A$227,925 | A$46,500 | A$6,600 |
| Second-Round | A$158,850 | A$30,975 | N/A |
| First-Round | A$106,250 | N/A | N/A |
Australian Open 2024: What We Know So Far
Unlike Roland-Garros and Wimbledon, the Australian Open doesn’t have any other monikers. It’s known simply as the Australian Open.
Australian Open 2024: What We Know So Far
The Australian Open enjoys the largest attendances out of all the Grand Slams, with a record-breaking 839,192 spectators descending on Melbourne Park during the 2023 fortnight. Plus an additional 63,120 attendees during the qualifying week, bringing the total up to just over 900,000. Organisers expect close to a million for 2024, and perhaps even more than that due to the two added days on the schedule.
Here is a table showing the Australian Open attendance increase over the past decade:
| Year | Attendance |
| 2023 | 902,312 |
| 2022 | 346,468 |
| 2021 | 130,374 |
| 2020 | 812,174 |
| 2019 | 796,435 |
| 2018 | 743,667 |
| 2017 | 728,763 |
| 2016 | 720,363 |
| 2015 | 703,899 |
| 2014 | 643,280 |
| 2013 | 684,457 |
Australian Open 2024: What We Know So Far
Novak Djokovic is the undisputed king of the Australian Open, winning a remarkable ten titles since his debut trophy in 2008. On the women’s side, Margaret Court remains the queen, with eleven titles to her name between 1960 and 1973.
Australian Open 2024: What We Know So Far
- First-Round: January 14-16
- Second-Round: January 17-18
- Third-Round: January 19-20
- Fourth-Round: January 21-22
- Quarter-Finals: January 23-24
- Semi-Finals: January 25-26
- Finals: January 27-28
