What Is the Next Tennis Major in 2024? Schedule, Surface, and What to Expect

The next tennis major in 2024 is the Australian Open. It starts on January 14 in Melbourne, Australia, and wraps up on January 28. This is the first Grand Slam of the year, and it sets the tone for the entire season. Players come in fresh from off-season training, and the heat, fast courts, and high stakes make it one of the most unpredictable majors.

Why the Australian Open Comes First

The Australian Open kicks off the Grand Slam calendar every January. It’s not just tradition-it’s logistics. The Southern Hemisphere’s summer aligns with the northern winter, so tennis can avoid clashing with other major sports like American football or the NFL playoffs. The tournament runs over two weeks, with qualifying rounds starting a week before the main draw. The surface? Hard court, specifically Plexicushion, which is medium-fast and favors big servers and aggressive baseline players.

Last year, Jannik Sinner won his first major here, defeating Daniil Medvedev in a five-set final. This year, expectations are even higher. Sinner is the reigning champion and world No. 1. But with the draw wide open-Rafael Nadal’s retirement, Novak Djokovic’s injury setbacks, and Carlos Alcaraz still finding his rhythm on hard courts-there’s room for new names to rise.

The Surface and Weather Factor

The Australian Open is played on a synthetic hard court that’s faster than the US Open’s but slower than Wimbledon’s grass. The ball bounces lower and skids through the court, which rewards players who take the ball early and move forward. That’s why players like Iga Świątek and Aryna Sabalenka thrive here-both have powerful groundstrokes and don’t give opponents time to set up.

But the weather? That’s the wild card. Melbourne can swing from 30°C to 40°C in a single day. Players have collapsed on court from heat stress. In 2023, the tournament had to pause play multiple times due to extreme heat. This year, organizers have upgraded cooling stations, increased hydration breaks, and extended the midday shutdown from 12:30 to 3:30 PM local time. If you’re watching, expect delays-and players who manage their energy better will win.

Who’s Likely to Win in 2024

On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner is the favorite. He’s won 10 titles since 2023, including the ATP Finals. His forehand is one of the most devastating in the game, and his movement on hard courts is elite. But don’t count out Carlos Alcaraz. He’s still young, still improving, and he’s shown he can win big matches under pressure. If he finds his serve consistency, he could take the title.

On the women’s side, Iga Świątek is the clear top seed. She’s won four of the last seven majors and has a 27-match winning streak on clay-but she’s also won here twice, in 2021 and 2022. Her topspin-heavy game works well on the Australian hard courts. Sabalenka, the 2023 runner-up, is the biggest threat. She’s hit 250+ aces this season and has the power to overwhelm anyone. But her mental game still flickers in finals-she’s lost three straight Grand Slam finals since 2021.

What Comes After the Australian Open

After Melbourne, the next major is Roland Garros-the French Open. It starts on May 26 in Paris and is played on clay. This is where the game changes completely. The balls get heavier, the rallies stretch longer, and the court slows everything down. Players who win in Melbourne don’t always win in Paris. In fact, only three players since 2000 have won both the Australian Open and Roland Garros in the same year: Nadal, Djokovic, and Sinner (in 2024, he did it).

But the real test comes after Paris. Wimbledon in June brings grass courts and unpredictable weather. Then the US Open in August brings fast hard courts again-but with the pressure of a long season weighing on players. The Grand Slam cycle is brutal. Winning one is hard. Winning two? That’s legend territory.

How to Watch the 2024 Australian Open

If you’re in Europe, Sky Sports and Eurosport carry every match live. In the US, ESPN and the ESPN app have full coverage. In Australia, Seven Network and Kayo Sports stream everything. You can also watch via the official Australian Open app, which offers multi-court views and on-demand replays.

Pro tip: Don’t just watch the finals. The early rounds are where the surprises happen. Watch the qualifiers-some of the best underdogs come from there. In 2023, a 19-year-old qualifier named Zhang Zhizhen made it to the third round. No one expected it. He’s back this year, ranked 89th, and he’s already won two Challenger titles in January.

What’s Different in 2024

This year, the Australian Open introduced a new rule: players must wear approved undergarments that match their outfit color. It’s a small change, but it’s part of a bigger push toward uniformity in appearance-something the ATP and WTA have been working on since 2022. Also, prize money jumped to $17.5 million AUD for the singles champions, up from $15 million in 2023. That’s more than any other major except the US Open.

Another change? The tournament now uses AI-assisted line-calling on all outside courts. Hawk-Eye Live is still used on the main show courts, but the AI system is faster and cheaper. It’s been tested in smaller tournaments for two years and has a 99.3% accuracy rate. Fans can see real-time line calls on their phones through the tournament app.

What to Watch For

Keep an eye on the juniors. The Australian Open has a strong junior draw, and this year’s boys’ and girls’ champions will likely be in the top 50 within two years. Also, watch the doubles teams. The top pairs-like Koolhof/Skupski and Hsieh/Chan-are playing with more chemistry than ever. Doubles matches are shorter, faster, and often more entertaining.

And don’t forget the comeback stories. Gael Monfils is 37 and still playing. He’s not seeded, but he’s won matches in Melbourne every year since 2010. He doesn’t win majors anymore, but he still draws crowds. That’s the magic of tennis. It’s not just about titles. It’s about heart.