There are plenty of exciting stories to follow throughout the first Grand Slam of the season, with Lleyton Hewitt’s son Cruz Hewitt handed an Australian Open wildcard.

He must make it through qualifying to land a spot in the Australian Open main draw, with Simona Halep in the same position on the WTA Tour.

It is world number one Aryna Sabalenka who will be looking to defend her title in Melbourne next month, and likewise for ATP Tour number one Jannik Sinner.

Tim Henman and Mats Wilander predict 2025 Australian Open winners

The Belarusian beat Qinwen Zheng to make it successive titles in 2024, with the Italian overcoming Daniil Medvedev.

However, neither Mats Wilander nor Tim Henman thinks Sinner will defend his title, with the pair having picked their winners of the tournament for Eurosport.

“Novak Djokovic,” stated Henman, with Wilander saying: “I think Carlos Alcaraz is going to be playing better than ever at the Australian Open.”

READ MORE: The time Novak Djokovic suffered his heaviest ever Grand Slam defeat at the Australian Open when he won just three games

They also picked their women’s Australian Open winners, with Wilander backing the Belarusian to secure a hat-trick.

“Aryna Sabalenka will win yet another Grand Slam title at the Australian Open,” he said. “That makes it three in a row.”

Henman meanwhile backed the 2024 runner-up, saying: “The AO on the women’s side is going to be won by Zheng.”

Laura Robson and Alex Corretja pick men’s and women’s Australian Open winners

Also sharing their predictions were Laura Robson and Alex Corretja, with the former saying: “I reckon Sinner,” and the latter saying: “Carlitos!”

Robson then followed Wilander in her prediction for the women’s champion, stating: “I’m going Sabalenka.”

Corretja meanwhile said: “I’m going to go for [Elena] Rybakina. I’m actually thinking she might finish as No. 1 this year.”

READ MORE: Juan Carlos Ferrero reveals the one shot Carlos Alcaraz is trying to change in pre-season ahead of the Australian Open

It is certain to be another thrilling Australian Open across the ATP and WTA tours, with stars of the latter certain to be desperate to want to end Sabalenka’s fine run.

Djokovic meanwhile is both looking to extend his men’s Australian Open dominance and indeed secure a record-25th Grand Slam title.

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