Alex de Minaur has received an early boost to his Australian Open chances after the withdrawal of his tough first-round opponent, former world No 6 Matteo Berrettini.
Tens of thousands have filled Melbourne Park on a sunny Sunday marking the first day of the main draw, which has already seen Perth product Talia Gibson secure passage to the second round.
Even before a ball had been hit, however, there was reason for Australian optimism. Berrettini announced he had suffered a recurrence of the abdomen problems which had plagued his 2025 season, forcing him to miss the French and US opens, and would not take the court against De Minaur.
“Unfortunately I’ve felt discomfort in my obliques once again and I won’t be ready to perform at my best level for five sets,” the Italian posted on Instagram.
“It hurts because playing in Australia is always special and after four weeks of intense training I was excited and ready to get going.”
“I’m hoping and feeling that I won’t be out from the tennis courts for a long time.”
The news robs the tournament of its most compelling first-round match.
Berrettini had appeared a formidable first opponent for De Minaur, after the former Wimbledon finalist defeated world No 27 Learner Tien in straight sets at the Kooyong Classic last week.
The Australian will now meet Mackenzie McDonald, the American who was beaten in qualifying but now receives a last-minute call-up as a “lucky loser”.
The 30-year-old is a respected tour veteran with a career-high ranking of 37, whose best result at Melbourne Park was reaching the fourth round in 2021.
De Minaur, the highest local men’s seed in two decades, will face McDonald on Rod Laver Arena on Monday afternoon.
Gibson was the first of four Australians in action on Sunday, and she defeated 62nd-ranked Anna Blinkova 6-1 6-3 in just 76 minutes.
The 21-year-old, who also reached the second round last year, said she is becoming more comfortable as the aggressor, and is able to finish off more points.
“The experiences that I’ve had over the last 12 months, I’ve been able to learn so much and grow mentally as well as physically,” she said. “That was exciting for me, to be able to go out there and be in control of most of the points.”
The world No 119 was given a wildcard for the tournament and she said the prize money – at least $225,000 for those in the second-round this year – would go “an extremely long way” in supporting her life on tour this year.
The 32nd seed Corentin Moutet defeated Australian Tristan Schoolkate on Kia Arena in the afternoon, 6-4 7-6 (1) 6-3.
Queenslander Adam Walton has been given one of tennis’ toughest tasks in his match against men’s top seed, Carlos Alcaraz, in the evening session on Rod Laver Arena.
Qualifier Jason Kubler meets the American 29th seed, Frances Tiafoe, on John Cain Arena no earlier than 5pm.
The tournament’s Opening Week, featuring qualifying matches, concerts and the One Point Slam, attracted 217,999 attendees. It almost doubled the previous record, 116,528, set last year.
