Professional tennis is back in the headlines with the 2024 renewal of the Australian Open. The sport’s first Grand Slam of the year comes when many other professional sports are in hibernation for winter, including the top soccer leagues. The action comes thick and fast from Melbourne as the biggest names in men’s and women’s tennis aim to win this title and etch their name on the famous trophy. The best-performing players are now just a few games away from entering the history books.
Have you been following the Australian Open, which began with the opening round on Sunday, 14 January? This year’s event is the 112th edition and has attracted a star-studded cast. The starting lineup at Melbourne Park in Victoria reads like a who’s who of modern tennis on both the men’s and women’s draws. You can follow all the play on television and the best live-streaming apps.
Novak Djokovic attracted the most attention due to his past issues with this tournament during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The Serbian champion isn’t the only one in attendance; the Australian Open tennis odds make Djok the betting favorite to lift the title again. Will he live up to expectations and claim what would be his 11th Australian Open gong?
Backers certainly hope so, but the reigning champion faces stiff competition from Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Daniil Medvedev. Study the form, pick a player, and predict the 2024 Australian Open champion.
Power couples
If you thought the men’s half of the draw was competitive, it’s nothing compared to the women’s side. All the top players are in Melbourne, with several holding legitimate claims to the throne as queen of the Australian Open. Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus is the current champion, having won the title last year against all the odds. Will she repeat the feat in 2024? Only time will tell, but Aryna has a great chance and is improving with every game.
Traders working at the top betting apps don’t forsee Sabalenka winning two titles on the bounce, preferring to put their trust in current women’s favorite Iga Swiatek, who tops the outright list at the time of writing. Elena Rybakina is the second favorite on that list, with the defending champion being the third most likely winner. That’s interesting, but as avid tennis fans already know, the Australian Open rarely follows the script. It’s unpredictable on the women’s side, and that’s why fans love it.
We’ve now covered the top players from the men’s and women’s games in Australia, and it makes for compelling reading. But we’d like to change course now and combine the two. In this article, we investigate the sport’s power couples, the champions of men’s and women’s tennis who began a relationship through a shared passion for tennis after spending many months and years on tour.
Some of the tennis couples mentioned on this page are already public knowledge, while others prefer to keep their relationship away from the cameras.
Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf
When talking about power couples in any sport, not just professional tennis, it would be wrong to miss Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf. At the time this relationship hit the press, it was huge in tennis. A meeting of the biggest names in the game. What could go wrong, fans asked.
The union of Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf stands as one of tennis’s most iconic love stories. Both individually regarded as legends in the sport, Agassi and Graf’s romance blossomed during their respective careers. The couple’s love story reached its pinnacle when they married in 2001, forming a tennis power couple that had a lasting impact on the sport’s history.
With a combined 30 Grand Slam singles titles, Agassi and Graf’s partnership not only symbolized tennis greatness but also demonstrated the beauty of shared passion and understanding between two tennis icons.
Kim Clijsters and Lleyton Hewitt
Another love story from the top tier of tennis pairs Kim Clijsters and Lleyton Hewitt, and this one eventually led to marriage. It was every bit as stylish and extravagant as any power couple in sport.
Belgium’s Kim Clijsters and Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt, both former world number one players, found love on the tennis courts before taking their relationship to a personal level. The couple, known for their competitive spirits and relentless work ethic, married in 2005.
Although their marriage may not have lasted, their union showcased the challenges and triumphs of love amidst the demands of professional tennis. As two players at the pinnacle of their careers, Clijsters and Hewitt navigated the intricacies of being tennis stars and life partners, leaving an indelible mark on the sport’s history.
Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian
The marriage of tennis sensation Serena Williams and tech entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian is a testament to the intersection of sports and technology. Williams, one of the greatest female tennis players of all time, and Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit, represent a coupling of athletic prowess and business acumen.
Their love story, which culminated in a fairy-tale wedding in 2017, has been openly shared with fans, offering a glimpse into the challenges and joys of balancing a high-profile career with family life. As parents and influential figures in their respective fields, Serena and Alexis exemplify the evolving dynamics of tennis celebrity couples in the modern era.
Rafa and Xisca
Known for his unparalleled work ethic and intensity on the court, Rafael Nadal has kept his personal life relatively private. However, his long-time relationship with Maria Francisca Perello, affectionately known as Xisca, has been a constant source of support throughout his career.
The couple, who met in their hometown of Mallorca, Spain, has been together for over a decade. While Nadal is a tennis legend, Xisca has maintained a low profile, preferring to stay out of the spotlight. Their enduring love story showcases the importance of finding stability and support outside the frenetic pace of professional tennis.
Who will be the next power couple in modern tennis? Perhaps you’ve noticed love blossoming on the court in Melbourne or read the latest gossip online.