Is Jannik Sinner participating in the Australian Open 2025? Everything to know about the defending champion's presence in Melbourne

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is ready to defend his title at the Australian Open 2025, which is set to begin on January 12. While most of his peers competed in a warm-up event or two before the season's first Major, the Italian didn't choose to do the same. Instead, he's competing in a couple of exhibition matches this week.

Sinner already beat Alexei Popyrin in his first exhibition match, and will next take on former top 10 player Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday (January 10). He followed this pattern last year as well. He played a handful of exhibition matches before the Australian Open, and then went on to be the last man standing in Melbourne.

The Australian Open was Sinner's first Grand Slam title. He became the first player to beat Novak Djokovic in the semifinals here, and rallied from two sets down to defeat Daniil Medvedev in the final. The victory set the stage for his domination throughout the year.

Sinner posted an incredible 73-6 record last year, and also won the US Open, the ATP Finals, and three Masters 1000 titles. It now remains to be seen if he's able to showcase the same level of high intensity tennis this year as well. Coming back to the Australian Open, the Italian's biggest rivals, Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, are not in the same half of the draw as him.

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Jannik Sinner will begin his title defense at the Australian Open 2025 against Nicolas Jarry

Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open 2025. (Photo: Getty)

Jannik Sinner will commence his title defense at the Australian Open 2025 against Nicolas Jarry. Each player has registered a win over the other, and the Italian needed three sets to beat him when they crossed paths at last year's China Open, their most recent meeting.

Sinner will face either Taro Daniel or Tristan Schoolkate in the second round, and compatriot Flavio Cobolli could await him in the third round. One of Hubert Hurkacz, Matteo Berrettini, or Holger Rune could be his potential opponent in the fourth round.

Home favorite Alex de Minaur could be Sinner's quarterfinal foe, followed by either Taylor Fritz or Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals. One of Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, or Alexander Zverev could be the final player he needs to slay to complete a successful title defense.

Aside from Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, only Carlos Alcaraz has been able to defend a Grand Slam title in the last two decades. When it comes to the Australian Open, Djokovic, Federer, and Andre Agassi are the only players to defend their titles here this century. Sinner has some big shoes to fill, and given his results last year, he's certainly capable of doing the same.