His form in doubles was even better. He finished the season at world No.3 after teaming up with Max Purcell to win the US Open, and the duo also made the semifinals of their first ATP Finals campaign.

Given his form across both formats, expect Thompson to arrive at AO 2025 full of confidence.

Thanasi Kokkinakis

Thanasi Kokkinakis has a cult following at the Happy Slam.

Matches featuring the 28-year-old at Melbourne Park always create a buzzing atmosphere – and make for essential viewing due.

MORE: Kokkinakis welcomes extension of AO’s partnership with Piper-Heidsieck

At Australian Open 2024 Kokkinakis sent John Cain Arena into a frenzy when he defeated Austrian Sebastian Ofner in the first round. He has also taken sets off Grigor Dimitrov and pushed Stefanos Tsitsipas to five sets in previous campaigns.

Form is on Kokkinakis’ side after he beat Ben Shelton in the Davis Cup quarterfinals in Malaga – winning the longest Davis Cup tiebreak in five years – then taking world No.34 Matteo Berrettini to a deciding set in the semifinals. 

If Kokkinakis brings his best to the big stage once more, he’ll be an opponent no seed will wish to see nearby in the draw come January.

Emerson Jones

During the 16-year-old’s last appearance at Melbourne Park, Jones advanced to the girls’ singles final.

And she enjoyed a stellar 2024 campaign, becoming Australia’s first ITF Junior World Tour Finals champion in October – after her two junior Grand Slam finals appearances – and rose to junior world No.1.

She also enjoyed success on the Australian Pro Tour, winning her maiden ITF event in Sydney.

Crowned Female Junior Athlete of the Year at the 2024 Australian Tennis Awards, Jones will play at Australian Open 2025 as a main-draw wildcard, reward for her thrilling progress in 2024.

Talia Gibson

Like Jones, Talia Gibson announced herself as a star of the future in 2024, and earned an AO 2025 main-draw wildcard.

Now, she is ready to make herself known on the world stage.

Dominant on the Australian Pro Tour circuit throughout the year, Gibson’s season at one point featured a 17-match winning streak. This form helped her skyrocket up the WTA rankings; she rose 161 spots to world No.140 at season’s end.

The 20-year-old will compete in her second Australian Open main draw after her debut in 2023.