The Kooyong Classic is a prestigious exhibition event that serves as a preparatory warm-up tournament for the Australian Open.
Held annually since 1988 (with the exception of 1994 and the pandemic years of 2021 & 2022), the Kooyong Classic has attracted some of the world's top tennis stars to the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, looking to fine-tune their games ahead of the Australian Open.
This year, at least two of the world's Top 10 players have answered the call to headline the three-day event, which will take place from January 10 to 12, 2024. The venue is located in the Melbourne suburb of Kooyong, which means players won't waste travel time to go to Melbourne Park for the Australian Open.
Jannik Sinner will garnish the lineup at this exhibition event for the first time in his career. Sinner reached the fourth round of the 2023 Australian Open. Historically, he has done well on Australian soil, having won the Great Ocean Road Open in 2021.
Holger Rune is the second Top 10 player on the list. The Dane recently confirmed an extension to his partnership with coach Boris Becker for the new season. Like Sinner, he was eliminated in the fourth round stage at the 2023 Australian Open and will make his Kooyong debut.
Stan Wawrinka is a veteran in the field. The 38-year-old is the lone former champion of the Australian Open in the initial entry list. Wawrinka was a finalist of the Kooyong Classic (2009), and last played the event in 2014, the year he famously won his first major title.
Dominic Thiem has also received an invite to compete in Kooyong. The former Australian Open finalist has played the event on two occasions, including in 2023, while American Frances Tiafoe, who made his debut at the event by losing to Thiem, is also returning. Russia's Karen Khachanov and China's No. 1 Zhizhen Zhang are the other confirmed entrants.
2024 Kooyong Classic ATP Entry List:
| # | Player |
|---|---|
| 1. | Jannik Sinner |
| 2. | Holger Rune |
| 3. | Karen Khachanov |
| 4. | Frances Tiafoe |
| 5. | Stan Wawrinka |
| 6. | Zhizhen Zhang |
| 7. | Dominic Thiem |
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