The Adelaide International gets under way at The Drive today, bringing a familiar mix of elite tennis, local interest and summer crowds to the city. The combined WTA 500 and ATP 250 tournament runs from 12 to 17 January and forms part of the lead up to the Australian Open, a position that continues to attract high ranked players looking to fine tune their form.
Australian players feature prominently on the opening day, with Emerson Jones, Daria Kasatkina, Ajla Tomljanovic, Alexei Popyrin and Thanasi Kokkinakis all scheduled to take to centre court. Their presence is expected to draw strong early crowds, particularly given the event’s growing reputation as one of the more accessible warm up tournaments on the circuit.
International interest is equally clear. Three of the world’s top 10 women are competing, including defending champion Madison Keys alongside Mirra Andreeva and Ekaterina Alexandrova. On the men’s side, the ATP 250 draw includes top 20 players Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Tommy Paul, adding depth to a field that balances star power with emerging talent.
Organisers point to sustained demand as a sign the tournament has found its place in Adelaide’s summer calendar. The 2024 and 2025 editions opened with sold out Kids’ Days, prompting changes this year, including the introduction of Ground Passes to help manage crowds across an expanded program. Ticket sales ahead of the first ball have been strong, with more than 40,000 tickets already allocated.
There is also a broader push to widen the event’s appeal beyond match play. A new outdoor area, the Court Yard at Pinky Flat, opens alongside the tournament, offering visitors a chance to try beach tennis, pickleball and pop tennis at no cost. Organisers say the idea is to create a more relaxed entry point for families and younger audiences, though how many first time participants convert into regular players remains to be seen.
With a total prize pool of $2.5 million and valuable ranking points on offer, the Adelaide International continues to play a practical role in the global tennis calendar. Support from the South Australian Government and Tourism Commission reflects the event’s value as a drawcard during the summer holiday period, while players and fans alike benefit from the compact venue and city setting.
As the first matches get underway, attention will be on crowd numbers, player feedback and the balance between elite competition and community engagement. For now, the courts are ready and Adelaide once again finds itself at the centre of the tennis conversation.
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