This Week in Tennis: Road to the Australian Open

Canadians Tune-Up for Melbourne

Several Canadians hit the court last week to prepare for the Australian Open. Qualifying began on Sunday, Jan. 5 while the main draw will get underway on Sunday, Jan. 12.

Denis Shapovalov fell in his first tuneup match to Kei Nishikori 6-2, 6-3 in the first round at the Hong Kong Open on New Year’s Eve. Nishikori would reach the final but fall to Alexandre Muller 2-6, 6-1, 6-3.

Shapovalov took on J.J. Zhang in the first round of the Adelaide International and took the match 6-3, 6-4. He is scheduled for his second-round matchup on Tuesday.

Félix Auger-Aliassime received a bye to the round of 16 in Adelaide as the tournament’s No. 5 seed.

Related: Auger-Aliassime, Fernandez’s Big Wins Not Enough for Canada at United Cup

Leylah Annie Fernandez qualified for the first round at the Adelaide International, defeating Jodie Anna Burrage and Irina-Camelia Begu en route to the main draw. However, the 22-year-old dropped her first-round match to Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 on Sunday evening.

Rebecca Marino won her first match at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, upsetting No. 4 Lulu Sun in the first round. She was unable to carry the momentum into the second round, falling to Bernarda Pera 7-6 (2), 6-4. Clara Tauson won the tournament in over Naomi Osaka, who withdrew from the final due to injury after taking the opening set 6-4.

Click here for more news about Canadian tennis players.

Djokovic ousted in Brisbane, Sabalenka takes home title

World No. 293 Reilly Opelka made waves at the Brisbane International last week by upsetting world No. 7 Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals. The hard-serving American would reach the final but was forced to retire partway through the first set due to a back injury, handing the title to Jiri Lehecka.

Djokovic, the former world No. 1, aims to extend his record with an 11th title at the Australian Open.

On the women’s side, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka took home the title in Brisbane, defeating Polina Kudermetova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the final. Sabalenka has won two consecutive Australian Open titles and will attempt to become the first woman since Martina Hingis (1997-99) to win three straight championships in Melbourne.

Related: Shapovalov, Diallo, Galarneau, Draxl, and Pospisil to form Canadian Davis Cup team at Davis Cup in Montreal

Dabrowski shares cancer diagnosis

Canadian star Gabriela Dabrowski revealed last week that she battled breast cancer for much of the 2024 season and underwent two surgeries following her diagnosis in April.

“I know this will come as a shock to many, but I am OK and I will be OK,” Dabrowski posted on Instagram. “Early on in my diagnosis I was afraid of cancer becoming part of my identity forever. I don’t feel that way anymore. It is a privilege to be able to call myself a survivor.”

The three-time Grand Slam champion did not let her diagnosis affect her performance on the court. The 32-year-old had one of the best seasons of her career, winning two WTA doubles titles with partner Erin Routliffe in Miami and Nottingham. The pair went on to win the WTA Finals, making Dabrowski the first Canadian to capture a WTA Finals title.

The Ottawa, Ont., native also picked up hardware away from the WTA Tour, winning a bronze medal alongside Felix Auger-Aliassime at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Related: Gabriela Dabrowski and Félix Auger-Aliassime Named Tennis Canada’s 2024 Players of the Year

The ATP’s best return to Toronto this summer for the National Bank Open July 27 to Aug. 7, 2025 at Sobeys Stadium. 2025 Tickets are on sale. Get your tickets today!

The WTA’s best return to Montreal this summer for the National Bank Open July 26 to Aug. 7, 2025 at IGA Stadium. 2025 Tickets are on sale. Get your tickets today!

Feature Photo : Eurosport