The world's best tennis players in Melbourne, Australia, over the next two weeks, with the108th edition of the Australian Open set to get underway on Monday, January 20.
As usual, the first Grand Slam tournament of the year will take place at Melbourne Park, with the women's and men's final scheduled for February 1 and February 2, respectively.
World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, defending champion Novak Djokovic and 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer have scooped up the last 12 major titles between them and remain the men to beat in Melbourne.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams begins the tournament as the favorite to win a first Grand Slam title since triumphing in Melbourne in 2017, after losing the final at Wimbledon at the U.S. Open in each of the last two seasons.
The Australian Open will be exclusively broadcast in the U.S. across ESPN channels, with ESPN2 carrying the majority of the early round and ESPN broadcasting live coverage of the semifinals and finals in both the men's and women's tournaments.
Because of the 16-hour difference between Melbourne and the east coast of the U.S., in the early rounds action will normally at 7 p.m. or 9 p.m. ET and carry on through the night until 7 a.m. the following morning.
ESPN will also air three-hour replays during the late morning and afternoon. Here's everything you need to know to follow the action from Melbourne over the next two weeks.
Australian Open TV coverage
The Australian Open is broadcast exclusively across ESPN channels, with ESPN2 carrying the bulk of the tournament and ESPN covering of the semifinals and the finals in both the men's and women's tournaments.
Australian Open live stream
A live stream will be available via ESPN's digital platforms, WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
Australian Open TV schedule (all times ET)
The first round of the Australian Open gets underway on Monday morning. However, because of the 16-hour difference between Melbourne and the east coast of the U.S., that means the tournament will effectively get underway late on Sunday evening for those in the Eastern Time Zone in the U.S.
First round
Sunday, January 19
7 p.m.—3 a.m. Monday, ESPN2
Monday, January 20
3 a.m.—7 a.m., ESPN2
9 p.m.—3 a.m. Tuesday, ESPN2
Tuesday, January 21
3 a.m.—7 a.m., ESPN2
2 p.m.—5 p.m., ESPN2 (replay)
Second round
Tuesday, January 21
9 p.m.—3 a.m. Wednesday, ESPN2
Wednesday, January 22
3 a.m.—7 a.m., ESPN2
2 p.m.—5 p.m., ESPN2 (replay)
9 p.m.—3 a.m. Thursday, ESPN2
Thursday, January 23
3 a.m.—7 a.m., ESPN2
2 p.m.—5 p.m., ESPN2 (replay)
Third round
Thursday, January 23
9 p.m.—3 a.m. Friday, ESPN2
Friday, January 24
3 a.m.—7 a.m., ESPN2
1 p.m.—4 p.m., ESPN2 (replay)
9 p.m.—3 a.m. Saturday, ESPN2
Saturday, January 25
3 a.m.—7 a.m., ESPN2
9 a.m.—12 p.m., ESPN2 (replay)
9 p.m.—3 a.m. Sunday, ESPN2
Sunday, January 26
3 a.m.—7 a.m., ESPN2
9 a.m.—11 p.m., ESPN2 (replay)
Round of 16
Sunday, January 26
9 p.m.—3 a.m. Monday, ESPN2
Monday, January 27
3 a.m.—7 a.m., ESPN2
2 p.m.—5 p.m., ESPN2 (replay)
Quarterfinals
Monday, January 27
9 p.m.—2 a.m. Tuesday, ESPN2
Tuesday, January 28
3 a.m.—6 a.m., ESPN2
2 p.m.—5 p.m., ESPN2 (replay)
9 p.m.—2 a.m. Wednesday, ESPN2
Wednesday, January 29
3:30 a.m.—6 a.m., ESPN2
2 p.m.—5 p.m., ESPN2 (replay)
Semifinals
Wednesday, January 29
10 p.m.—2 a.m. Thursday, ESPN2
Thursday, January 30
3:30 a.m.—6 a.m., ESPN
2 p.m.—5 p.m., ESPN2 (replay)
Friday, January 31
3:30 a.m.—6 a.m., ESPN
2 p.m.—5 p.m., ESPN2 (replay)
Women's Final
Saturday, February 1
3:30 a.m.—5:30 a.m., ESPN
8 a.m.—11 p.m., ESPN2 (replay)
Men's Final
Sunday, February 2
3:30 a.m.—6:30 a.m., ESPN
8 a.m.—12 p.m., ESPN2 (replay)
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Dan Cancian is currently a reporter for Newsweek based in London, England. Prior to joining Newsweek in January 2018, he ... Read more
