What to Watch from the 2024 Australian Open: Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka headline Day 1

The first thing to know about this year’s Australian Open is that it begins on Sunday, rather than Monday. By moving its start up 24 hours, the AO becomes the latest tournament to add a weekend day to its schedule. Roland Garros pioneered the idea in 2006; this year the Aussie Open follows suit with 32 first-round matches on Sunday.

And why not? One more weekend day is one more chance for working fans to attend or watch on TV.

Starting at 7:00 P.M. ET on Saturday, the top half of the men’s draw, led by Novak Djokovic, and the bottom half of the women’s, led by Aryna Sabalenka, will be in action. Grand Slams can be a lot to get your head around in the early going, so here’s a programming guide for fans trying to make sense of the first-day onslaught.

Jannik Sinner’s highly anticipated 2024 begins

• [4] Jannik Sinner vs. Botic van de Zandschulp, first on Rod Laver Arena (day)

Kick off your Aussie Open by checking in on Sinner as he makes his season debut. He’s up first in Rod Laver Arena against 59th-ranked Botic van Der Zandschulp. The two have never played before.

Expectations are sky high for Sinner in 2024. He finished last season with a burst of brilliance, beating Novak Djokovic twice and leading Italy to its first Davis Cup since 1976. Now the tennis world wants to know: Can he translate that form into a Slam title this year?

But first things first. Van De Zandschulp is a 28-year-old, 6-foot-3, heavy-hitting baseliner from Holland. He plays a little like Sinner, in other words, and the two will produce their share of shotgun-blast rallies. Barring significant rust or nerves from Sinner, he’ll win most of them. Winner: Sinner

Marin Cilic and Amanda Anisimova return

• Marin Cilic vs. Fabian Marozsan, second on 1573 Arena
• [13] Liudmila Samsonova vs. Amanda Anisimova, third on Kia Arena

The Aussie Open is always a big event for comebacks, and the day session will include two of them. Cilic, 35, is playing his first Slam since 2022, while Anisimova is playing her first since leaving the tour with burnout last May.

Each has an interesting opponent. Cilic, the 2018 runner-up in Melbourne, will face Fabian Marozsan, a flashy shot-maker who stunned Carlos Alcaraz in Rome last spring. Anisimova will go up against 13th-seeded Liudmila Samsonova. The 25-year-old Russian has won four titles and nearly cracked the Top 10, but she has yet to make it out of the fourth round at a major. Samsonova is due for a Slam breakthrough in 2024. Winners: Cilic, Samsonova

Djokovic, Sabalenka, Wozniacki, and Tiafoe highlight the night

• [1] Novak Djokovic vs. Dino Prizmic, first on Rod Laver Arena (night)

The evening sessions in Oz begins at 3:30 A.M. on the east coast in the States, so we understand if you’ll be watching these on replay. All four night-session matches in Rod Laver and Margaret Court arenas should be worth a look

Djokovic will begin his quest for an 11th AO title against 178th-ranked Dino Prizmic of Croatia. It isn’t the opponent, but Djokovic’s own body, that will be of most concern to his fans. Djokovic’s balky right wrist led to a rare Down Under loss in United Cup two weeks ago. But overcoming injury on his way to a title is par for the course for Djokovic in Australia. Winner: Djokovic

• [20] Magda Linette vs. Caroline Wozniacki, first on Margaret Court Arena (night)

At the same time in Margaret Court, Wozniacki will take on Magda Linette. The Pole is the 20th seed, but the Dane is 2-0 against her. Wozniacki’s comeback may have seemed like a lark when she announced it last summer, but she was competitive, and should be more so in 2014. Even after a long career and three years away, she’s still just 33. Winner: Wozniacki

• [17] Frances Tiafoe vs. Borna Coric, second on Margaret Court Arena (night)

Tiafoe and Borna Coric should close things out in Margaret Court in explosive fashion. Tiafoe has a new coach, but he still lives for the night, and he has thrived Down Under in the past. Coric has been ranked as high as No. 12, and he won their only previous meeting.

When you wake up Monday morning, don’t be surprised to see this one still going on. Winner: Tiafoe