What: The year's first Grand Slam tennis tournament.
When: Sunday through Jan. 31.
Where: Melbourne Park.
TV: ESPN, ESPN2, Tennis Channel
Last year: Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray 7–6 (5), 6–7 (4), 6–3, 6–0 for the men's title, and Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova 6–3, 7–6 (5) for the women's crown.
1. Novak Djokovic, Serbia
2. Andy Murray, Britain
3. Roger Federer, Switzerland
4. Stan Wawrinka , Switzerland
5. Rafael Nadal, Spain
6. Tomas Berdych, Czech Republic
7. Kei Nishikori, Japan
8. David Ferrer, Spain
1. Serena Williams, United States
2. Simona Halep, Romania
3. Garbine Muguruza, Spain
4. Agnieszka Radwanska, Poland
5. Maria Sharapova, Russia
6. Petra Kvitova, Czech Republic
7. Angelique Kerber, Germany
8. Venus Williams, United States
More of the same: Reigning champions Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams are both favorites to win again, having each won three of the four majors in 2015.
Top of his game: While much was made of Williams' near miss of the Grand Slam in 2015, Djokovic was only one defeat from a perfect Grand Slam season, too.
Shaking the rust: Williams has hardly played since the U.S. Open and had to withdraw from her only tune-up event ahead of the Australian Open. That's been a theme on the women's side.
Once more for Hewitt: Lleyton Hewitt will play his 20th and last Australian Open before retiring. He will play fellow Australian James Duckworth in the first round.
Associated Press
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