Alan Stallion
Civil Rights Advocate
The Australian Open main draw begins January 15.
This year Novak Djokovic is being allowed to play the Australian Open after the government's banning of him last year for his unvaccinated status. The Russians and Belarussians are allowed to play. Rafael Nadal is the defending champion and #1 seed, Carlos Alcaraz, the U.S. Open champion and #1 player of the world is out with an injury.
Rounding out the men's top ten seeds are Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Djokovic, Adrey Rublev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, Holger Rune, and Hubert Hurkacz. Alexander Zverev is back from injury and is seeded 12. Nick Kyrgios will do Kyrgios things I'm sure.
On the women's side, the 2022 champion Ash Barty retired shortly after her title run. Serena Williams has retired and former champion Naomi Osaka has just announced her pregnancy and will not be playing on the tour this year.
Iga Swiatek has been the dominate #1 since Barty's retirement. Round out the top ten seeds are Ons Jabeur, Jessica Pegula, Caroline Garcia, Aryna Sabalenka, Maria Sakkari, Coco Gauff, Daria Kasatkina, Veronika Kudermetova. A recent report puts into question Camille Giorgi's true vaccination status.

This year Novak Djokovic is being allowed to play the Australian Open after the government's banning of him last year for his unvaccinated status. The Russians and Belarussians are allowed to play. Rafael Nadal is the defending champion and #1 seed, Carlos Alcaraz, the U.S. Open champion and #1 player of the world is out with an injury.
Rounding out the men's top ten seeds are Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Djokovic, Adrey Rublev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, Holger Rune, and Hubert Hurkacz. Alexander Zverev is back from injury and is seeded 12. Nick Kyrgios will do Kyrgios things I'm sure.
On the women's side, the 2022 champion Ash Barty retired shortly after her title run. Serena Williams has retired and former champion Naomi Osaka has just announced her pregnancy and will not be playing on the tour this year.
Iga Swiatek has been the dominate #1 since Barty's retirement. Round out the top ten seeds are Ons Jabeur, Jessica Pegula, Caroline Garcia, Aryna Sabalenka, Maria Sakkari, Coco Gauff, Daria Kasatkina, Veronika Kudermetova. A recent report puts into question Camille Giorgi's true vaccination status.
