Nick Kyrgios’s first Australian Open opponent is revealed and it’s good news for the tennis bad boy – but Alex De Minaur isn’t so lucky
- Aussie has been under a grand slam injury cloud for days
- The draw was announced on Thursday afternoon, local time
Nick Kyrgios has avoided facing a placement match in the first round of his home grand slam, but he could be in for a tough match if he wins through to the third round in Melbourne.
The 29-year-old will take on Jacob Fearnley in his first match, with the British star currently ranked 86th in the world.
If he wins that meeting, he could face Sebastian Baez in the second round, with the Argentine ranked 28th in the world.
And if Kyrgios makes progress, a very tough test awaits him in the form of German Alexander Zverev, the world number two.
Tennis fans who dream of seeing him battle defending champion Jannik Sinner are likely to be disappointed as the two are on opposite sides of the draw and can only meet in the final.
The outspoken Australian arrives at the Grand Slam under an injury cloud after announcing he has a stomach ache that could put him in doubt for the tournament, although he was practicing on Thursday to indicate it is not a serious setback.
Nick Kyrgios (pictured training in Melbourne on Thursday) avoided being drawn against one of the biggest stars at the Australian Open
The Australian firefighter will face Britain’s Jacob Fearnley (pictured) in his first match – with very tough tests in store as he progresses against the world number 86
Alex De Minaur will launch his Australian Open campaign against Dutch great Botic van de Zandschulp, with former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas lurking as the first major threat to the local hopes.
De Minaur, who has placed in the top eight at a grand slam for the first time, will have to shoot quickly.
Although now ranked a lowly 82nd in the world, Van de Zandschulp ousted Carlos Alcaraz from last year’s US Open, reaching No. 22 before being hampered by injuries.
If he can get past Van de Zandschulp, eighth-seeded De Minaur will play a qualifier or Argentinian Federico Coria in round two.
De Minaur’s first seeded opponent is world number 31 Francisco Cerundolo in the third round, while 2023 number two Tsitsipas is a likely opponent in the last 16.
Alex De Minaur has been placed in the top eight at a grand slam for the first time, but that didn’t stop him from taking a prickly draw on Thursday
Australia’s 25th seed Alexei Popyrin has signed Frenchman Corentin Moutet and could meet compatriot Rinky Hijikata in the second round.
World number 27 Jordan Thompson, who is also seeded at a grand slam for the first time, opens against a qualifier.
Australian women Daria Saville and Ajla Tomljanovic have avoided playing first-round seeds, but teenage star Emerson Jones faces world No. 6 Elena Rybakina in her first match.
Ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic received no favors in the draw as he will face the likes of Grigor Dimitrov, Fabio Fognini and David Goffin.