The Australia Open is one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, alongside the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, making it one of the most prestigious events in tennis.
Held annually in Melbourne, it marks the beginning of the tennis calendar and is highly coveted by players across the globe due to its grand tradition, the high level of competition, and the opportunities it presents to launch a successful season.
For Indian players, this prestigious tournament holds particular significance, as it often serves as the first Grand Slam of the year, where dreams of achieving a breakthrough on the international stage begin.
In the 2025 men’s doubles draw, several Indian players are set to make their presence felt, with intriguing matchups against high-quality opponents.
Rohan Bopanna (India) and Nicolas Barrientos (Colombia)
Rohan Bopanna, one of India’s most experienced doubles specialists, will team up with Colombia’s Nicolas Barrientos.
The duo will face the Spanish team of Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar in their first-round match. Bopanna’s big serve and aggressive net play will be key assets against the Spanish pair.
Bopanna and Barrientos will need to assert their power on the court while maintaining a solid defensive structure to overcome their Spanish counterparts.
Yuki Bhambri (India) and Albano Olivetti (France)
Yuki Bhambri, an emerging doubles talent for India, will pair up with Frenchman Albano Olivetti. Together, they will face the Australian duo of Tristan Schoolkate and Adam Walton.
Bhambri, with his quick reflexes and well-rounded game, combined with Olivetti’s powerful serve, will have the upper hand if they can neutralize the home team’s aggressive play.
Schoolkate and Walton, both solid doubles players, will provide a tough challenge, but Bhambri and Olivetti have the potential to make a strong impression with their firepower.
N. Sriram Balaji (India) and Santiago Reyes Varela (Mexico)
N. Sriram Balaji, a steady and reliable doubles player, will partner with Mexican Santiago Reyes Varela to face the tough Dutch-Kazakh duo of Robin Haase and Aleksandr Nedovyesov.
Balaji and Reyes Varela bring a solid mix of consistency and tactical acumen, and they will need to remain composed against Haase and Nedovyesov’s experience and aggressive style of play.
Rithvik Bollipalli (India) and Ryan Seggerman (USA)
Rithvik Bollipalli, a rising star in Indian doubles, will partner with American Ryan Seggerman in what promises to be an exciting pairing. The duo will take on Harri Heliovaara (Finland) and Henry Patten (Great Britain) in their opening match.
Bollipalli and Seggerman, both strong at the net and capable of playing a fast-paced game, will look to impose their aggressive style on the match.
However, the Finnish-British duo, who are seeded sixth, will bring an added level of intensity, making for a thrilling contest.
These matchups at the 2025 Australian Open provide Indian doubles players with a prime opportunity to prove themselves against tough international teams.
Whether it’s experienced veterans like Bopanna or emerging stars like Bhambri and Bollipalli, the stage is set for an exciting week of doubles tennis in Melbourne.
