Tennis player Coco Gauff

Tennis players Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, and Novak Djokovic

Australian Open: Preview + How to Watch With ESPN on Sling TV

The Australian Open kicks off the 2024 Grand Slams with big stakes for Djokovic and others. Here's a preview and how to watch all the action on ESPN with Sling TV.

It’s a g’day to kick off the 2024 tennis season.

The Australian Open gets underway on Saturday, Jan. 13 and as always, it promises to set the tone and storylines for the year to come. Here’s a quick look at some of the biggest stories to watch for at the Australian Open. To watch live and replay matches on ESPN and ESPN2 use the link below to subscribe to Sling Orange.

https://main--sling--aemsites.aem.page/aemedge/fragments/try-sling-orange

Djokovic the Golden Boy?

https://www.youtube.com/embed/oWIvvP6h27A?si=l8362M_8DersUdci

At this point, Novak Djokovic has firmly established himself as one of the greatest players ever, and he might not be done. After securing his record-setting 24th major championship at the U.S. Open in September, Djokovic has his sights on an even loftier goal: The “Golden Slam.” The “Golden Slam” consists of winning all four major tournaments—Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open—plus an Olympic gold medal, in a single calendar year. Only one player has ever achieved this (Steffi Graf in 1988), but Djokovic came close in 2021, losing only in the Final of the U.S. Open and in the Olympic semifinals. At 36-years-old, time is running out, but if we know one thing about the Joker, it’s that the man has an iron will to win.

New Mother’s Day

Both Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber will return from maternity leave to play in the Australian Open, their first major tournament since 2022. Osaka won the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, and Kerber won it in 2016, so they’re both capable of going all the way. Still, there are a number of talented players in their way, including World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who could face Kerber in the second round, as well as No. 2 seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who may have to face No. 6 Ons Jabeur and No. 4 Coco Gauff to reach the final.

Speaking of Gauff, the first major win of her career came in the U.S. Open in September, and she defeated Sabalenka to earn it. As a result, the 19-year-old has to feel confident heading into the first major of 2024.

Nada from Nadal

https://www.youtube.com/embed/v27M_RgrLzU?si=VnkSb_LHVUmULXzZ

Rafa Nadal is looking for a storybook end to his legendary career, but the dream of one more major championship was deferred this week when an injury sustained at the Brisbane International forced him to withdraw from the Australian Open. It’s an unfortunate development for one of the most respected players in history, but Nadal remains hopeful he can return to play in the French Open this summer. With Nadal sidelined, up-and-coming players like 2023 breakout Carlos Alcaraz and 22-year-old Jannik Sinner have a lane to start building their own legacy at the Australian Open.

2024 Tennis Majors

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Australian Open - Jan. 8-28 - ESPN Networks (Sling Orange)

Women's Final - Sat., Jan. 27

Men's Final - Sun., Jan. 28

French Open - May 26-June 9 - NBC Networks (Sling Blue)

Wembledon - June 23-July 15 - ESPN Networks (Sling Orange)

U.S. Open - Aug. 18-Sep. 9 - ESPN Networks (Sling Orange)