Emerson Jones may only be 16 years old, but her talent on the court has already put some of the world’s best players on notice.

Sitting atop the junior girls’ world rankings – the first Australian to achieve the feat since Jelena Dokic in 1998 – Jones has found herself among the list of bona fide rising stars.

Jones has drawn comparison to retired great Ash Barty, having defeated world No.37 Wang Xingu in straight sets on debut at the Adelaide International.

READ MORE: Kyrgios avoids disaster as Australian Open draw revealed

READ MORE: Shock bolter named in Test squad as Marsh dumped

READ MORE: Carlton boss left fuming after ‘outrageous’ lewd photo hack

The result was the first time the teenager had recorded a victory against a WTA top-50 player during her young career.

But while her Adelaide success came to an end against Russia’s Daria Kasatkina, her rival was left in awe by the talent of the young star.

Jones held her space in the thriller, but eventually fell short 7-5, 6-3 to the Russian.

“It was a pretty intense match,” Kasatkina said post-match.

“I’m really happy with how I was able to come back after a very quick beginning, let’s say, of the match.

Watch the Australian Open live & free on the 9Network & 9Now. Stan Sport is the only place to watch every match ad-free, live & on demand with centre court in 4K.

“She’s really got good tennis, so I’m already a bit scared, to be honest. She’s just 16.”

Jones’ next challenge on the big stage will be against world No.6 Elena Rybakina in the opening round of the Australian Open.

Rybakina has been forecast by pundits to be among the leading contenders to take out the title, meaning Jones will have a tough task ahead of her.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2025 Australian Open:

How can I watch the 2025 Australian Open?

The 2025 Australian Open is being broadcast on Nine, with matches available to be live-streamed via 9Now and Stan Sport. Here’s a full viewer’s guide explaining all the ways you can watch.

Watch the Australian Open live & free on the 9Network & 9Now. Stan Sport is the only place to watch every match ad-free, live & on demand with centre court in 4K.

Australian Open 2025 dates

The two-week tournament kicks off on Sunday, January 12 and finishes on Sunday, January 26 with the men’s singles final.

The women’s singles final will be played on Saturday, January 25.

Australian Open 2025 schedule

• Men’s & Women’s 1^st round: Jan 12 – 14
• Men’s & Women’s 2^nd round: Jan 15 – 16
• Men’s & Women’s 3^rd round: Jan 17 – 18
• Men’s & Women’s 4^th round: Jan 19 – 20
• Men’s & Women’s quarter-finals: Jan 21 – 22
• Women’s semi-finals: Jan 23
• Men’s semi-finals : Jan 24
• Women’s singles final: Saturday, 25 January, 12pm
• Men’s singles final: Sunday, 26 January, 7pm

Is Novak Djokovic playing in the Australian Open 2025?

Novak Djokovic will return to Melbourne Park, attempting to win a record 11th Australian Open title after falling short in 2024.

Last year he lost to eventual men’s singles champion Jannik Sinner in a four-set semi-final.

Djokovic will aim to equal the great Margaret Court’s 11 Australian Open singles titles.

Is Aryna Sabalenka returning to defend her 2024 title?

2024 Australian Open women’s singles winner Aryna Sabalenka will be back at Melbourne Park this year.

The 26-year-old is aiming to become the first female player since Martina Hingis in 1999 to win three consecutive Australian Open women’s singles championships.

Australian Open 2025 seeds

Men’s singles:

1. Jannik Sinner, 2. Alexander Zverev, 3. Carlos Alcaraz, 4. Taylor Fritz, 5. Daniil Medvedev, 6. Casper Ruud, 7. Novak Djokovic, 8. Alex de Minaur, 9. Andrey Rublev, 10. Grigor Dimitrov, 11. Stefanos Tsitsipas, 12. Tommy Paul, 13. Holger Rune, 14. Ugo Humbert, 15. Jack Draper, 16. Lorenzo Musetti, 17. Frances Tiafoe, 18. Hubert Hurkacz, 19. Karen Khachanov, 20. Arthur Fils, 21. Ben Shelton, 22. Sebastian Korda, 23. Alejandro Tabilo, 24. Jiri Lehecka, 25. Alexei Popyrin, 26. Tomas Machac, 27. Jordan Thompson, 28. Sebastian Baez, 29. Felix Auger-Aliassime, 30. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, 31. Francisco Cerundolo, 32. Flavio Cobolli.

Women’s singles:

1. Aryna Sabalenka, 2. Iga Swiatek, 3. Coco Gauff, 4. Jasmine Paolini, 5. Qinwen Zheng, 6. Elena Rybakina, 7. Jessica Pegula, 8. Emma Navarro, 9. Daria Kasatkina, 10. Danielle Collins, 11. Paula Badosa, 12. Diana Shnaider, 13. Anna Kalinskaya, 14. Mirra Andreeva, 15. Beatriz Haddad-Maia, 16. Jelena Ostapenko, 17. Marta Kostyuk, 18. Donna Vekic, 19. Madison Keys, 20. Karolina Muchova, 21. Victoria Azarenka, 22. Magdalena Frech, 23. Katie Boulter, 24. Liudmila Samsonova, 25. Yulia Putintseva, 26. Ekaterina Alexandrova, 27. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 28. Elina Svitolina, 29. Linda Noskova, 30. Leylah Fernández, 31. Maria Sakkari, 32. Dayana Yastremska.

What is the prize money for the 2025 Australian Open?

The total prize money for the Australian Open 2025 is $96.5 million (AUD).

It’s an increase of 11.56 per cent from 2024.

Singles (all in AUD)

First round: $132,000 (AUD)

Second round: $200,000

Third round: $290,000

Round of 16: $420,000

Quarter-finals: $665,000

Semi-finals: $1,100,000

Runner-up: $1,900,000

Winner: $3,500,000

Doubles

First round: A$40,000

Round of 32: A$58,000

Round of 16: A$82,000

Quarter-finals: A$142,000

Semi-finals: A$250,000

Runners-up: A$440,000

Winners: A$810,000

Mixed Doubles

First round: A$7,250

Round of 16: A$14,000

Quarter-finals: A$27,750

Semi-finals: A$52,500

Runners-up: A$97,750

Winners: A$175,000

How can I get tickets for the 2025 Australian Open?

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, with ground pass tickets starting from $59, while night ground passes start at $39.

Tickets to the women’s and men’s finals are starting from $400.

Who are the favourites to win the 2025 Australian Open?

(Courtesy of SportsBet, correct as of January 9)

Women

Aryna Sabalenka $3.25

Coco Gauff $4.50

Iga Swiatek $5.50

Elena Rybakina $9.50

Qinwen Zheng $15.00

Karolina Muchova $21.00

Men

Jannik Sinner $2.25

Carlos Alcaraz $4.33

Novak Djokovic $6.00

Alexander Zverev $11.00

Daniil Medvedev $14.00

Taylor Fritz $26.00

Who do the Australians play in the first round?

Australian players first:

Women’s draw

Olivia Gadecki v Veronika Kudermetova

Daria Savile (WC) v Anna Blinkova

Maya Joint (WC) v Jessica Pegula [7]

Ajla Tomljanovic (WC) v Ashlyn Krueger

Talia Gibson (WC) v Zeynep Sonmez

Emerson Jones (WC) v Elena Rybakina [6]

Destanee Aiava v Greet Minnen

Kim Birrell v Anna Kalinskaya

Men’s draw

Alex de Minaur [8] v Botic van de Zandschulp

Alexei Popyrin [25] v Corentin Moutet

Jordan Thompson v Dominik Koepfer

Christopher O’Connell v Tommy Paul

Aleksander Vukic v Damir Dzumhur

Rinky Hijikata v Mitchell Krueger

Thanasi Kokkinakis v Roman Safiullin

Nick Krygios v Jacob Fearnley

James Duckworth v Dominic Stricker

Adam Walton v Quentin Halys

Tristan Schoolkate (WC) v Taro Daniel

Li Tu (WC) v Jiri Lehecka

Omar Jasika (WC) v Hugo Gaston

James McCabe (WC) v Martin Landaluce

Will there be live entertainment at the Australian Open 2025?

Between Thursday January 23 until Saturday January 25, there will be live entertainment across the Melbourne Park precinct.

Thursday 23 January: Benson Boone with Bella Amor.

Friday 24 January: Kaytranada with Channel Tres.

Saturday 25 January: Kesha, Armand Van Helden with Bag Raiders, Kah-Lo and Jade Zoe.