Emma Raducanu given tricky first-round tie as Brits endure mixed bag from 2025 Australian Open draw

Raducanu, who missed the opening week of the season due to a back injury, has shown promising signs since arriving in Melbourne.

The British player has been training regularly on the tournament grounds, displaying good physical condition during public sessions.

Her preparation received a boost when she defeated 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in a practice set on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday.

Swiatek, who begins her campaign against doubles No 1 Katerina Siniakova, returns to major competition following a one-month ban for a positive trimetazidine test.

The world No 2 successfully proved the case was due to contamination with her melatonin medication and has received a favourable draw as she pursues a sixth grand slam title.

British No 1 Katie Boulter, seeded 22nd, has landed in Swiatek's half but with an encouraging path ahead.

Boulter will face Canada's Rebecca Marino in her opening match, with 15th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia the highest-ranked player in her section.

Fresh from her career-best 2024 season and an impressive showing against Swiatek in the United Cup, Boulter aims to reach her first grand slam fourth round in Melbourne.

In the men's draw, top players Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are set for a potential quarter-final showdown after Thursday's draw ceremony in Melbourne.

Djokovic, now the seventh seed after a complicated 2024 season, finds himself in third-seeded Alcaraz's quarter of the draw.

The Serbian star, who claimed Olympic gold last year but struggled elsewhere, begins his campaign against American youngster Nishesh Basavareddy.

Alcaraz will open his tournament against Alexander Shevchenko, with both players avoiding second seed Alexander Zverev's half of the draw.

The tournament marks Djokovic's first major event with Andy Murray as his coach, as the pair look to forge a successful partnership..

Both players have been drawn away from tournament favourite and defending champion Jannik Sinner, who heads the bottom half of the draw.

British men's No 1 Jack Draper has also landed in Alcaraz's quarter of the draw, where he is seeded 15th.

Draper, who like Raducanu missed the season's opening week through injury, will face Argentina's Mariano Navone in the first round.

The British hopeful could potentially meet Alcaraz in the fourth round if both progress as projected.

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Despite recent hip concerns, Draper has shown no signs of injury during practice this week.

He impressed in competitive practice sets against Novak Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday.

Among other British players, Cameron Norrie faces a challenging opener against Matteo Berrettini.

Rising star Jacob Fearnley, 23, will meet Nick Kyrgios in one of the tournament's most anticipated first-round matches.

Sonay Kartal and Jodie Burrage complete the British contingent, with Kartal facing Jessica Bouzas Maneiro and Burrage drawing a qualifier.