Draper, Norrie, Boulter...what can we expect from the British at the Australian Open 2025?
by Cydias Aujard | by Cydias Aujard
Australian Open 2025: What do we hope to see from the British side?
The last edition of the Australian Open saw Jannik Sinner crowned and embark on a huge season that saw him finish the year as the world number one, winning 8 trophies, including 2 Grand Slams. The Italian is back to defend his title against opponents who are hungry for victory.
In January 2024, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka managed to retain her title for the first time since 2013 at the Australian Open. Now a two-time defending champion, the world No. 1 could well do it again this year give herself a head start over the competition. The Belarussian has just won her first tournament in 2025 with victory at the WTA 500 in Brisbane and has no intention of stopping there.
The 2025 Australian Open appears to hold both promise and challenges for the British team. Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie, two of Britain's top male players, have different goals enter this tournament with varied expectations, but they both aim to win big in Melbourne.
As for the British women, they could do well in Melbourne and climb up the world ranking. Ranked 23rd and 60th in the world respectively, the British No.1 and No.2 players have an opportunity to get the year off to a flying start.
Jack Draper, the biggest hope
A top-20 seed entering the 2025 Australian Open, young Jack Draper heads into the tournament with confidence, having reached the semi-finals of the Adelaide International last week. He has also demonstrated the power of his serve and the aggression of his baseline game.
However, his capacity to withstand taxing five-set matches has come under scrutiny due to injuries in recent seasons. He lost to a top-10 opponent in Melbourne last year, but he made it to the third round.
He wants to beat it this year, and if his fitness holds, a fourth-round or quarterfinal result is a reasonable goal. This should put him even higher up the pecking order of the world's best players and kick-start a year in 2025 in which he could win trophies.
Cameron Norrie progressively back to his best
After a special year in 2024, with his first Olympic appearance representing Great Britain, he suffered an injury that kept him away from the courts for a while, before bouncing back to reach the final of the Moselle Open. His recent performances show that he is gradually returning to a high level, having once been world number 8.
When he lost to Diaz Acosta in the last 16 of the Auckland Classic a few days ago, Norrie almost got disqualified for hitting a spectator with his racket. Fortunately for him, he was spared and is now playing in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.
Determined to replicate or surpass his fourth-round performance at Melbourne 2024, where he was beaten by Alexander Sverev, the 48-ranked player could be a serious contender for the second week thanks to his consistent play, but defeating higher seeds like Medvedev or Sinner could require his biggest effort to date.
Katie Boulter, time to thinkg big
Currently ranked 23rd in the world, Katie Boulter is improving on the WTA Tour. She has 4 wins from her last 6 matches, despite a date against Iga Swiatek earlier this year at the United Cup. Boulter, who is known for her groundstrokes, is looking to turn a corner this year, her best result at the Australian Open being only the second round.
The British No. 1 will need to keep her cool and bring the positive energy she has been building of late to her possible matches against top seeds like Sabalenka or Jabeur if she hopes to progress to the second week.
Emma Raducanu in search of consistency
Emma Raducanu remains one of the most interesting British players. The 2021 US Open champion has had to contend with injuries to her wrist and ankle in particular, which caused her to be inconsistent last year. Despite her irregular form, Raducanu's fearless style and ability to rise in the big moments make her a potential dark horse.
In her last tournament, she reached the last sixteen in Auckland, suggesting a return to form, following an encouraging run to the last 16 in Seoul in September.
Depending on her confidence, the young British star could shine at the Australian Open and confirm the hopes placed in her.
