2014 Australian Open
The 2014 Australian Open was the 102nd edition of the Grand Slam tennis tournament and the first major of the year, held from 13 to 26 January at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The event featured a record total prize money of A$33 million, distributed across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles competitions.[1] In the men's singles, eighth seed Stan Wawrinka claimed his maiden Grand Slam title by defeating world No. 1 Rafael Nadal 6–3, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 in the final, after earlier upsetting top seed and three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic in a five-set quarterfinal thriller.[2] [3] Wawrinka's victory marked the first Australian Open men's singles title of his career and propelled him to a career-high No. 3 ranking.[4] The women's singles was won by fourth seed Li Na, who became the first Chinese player to win the Australian Open by beating unseeded Dominika Cibulková 7–6(3), 6–0 in the final; this was Li's second Grand Slam title overall and came at age 31, making her the oldest Australian Open champion in the Open Era at that point.[5] [6] The tournament saw extreme heat on day three, leading to the first-ever use of the retractable roofs on Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena to protect players.[7] In doubles, Łukasz Kubot (Poland) and Robert Lindstedt (Sweden) won the men's title as an unseeded pair, defeating Eric Butorac (USA) and Raven Klaasen (South Africa) 6–3, 6–3 in the final for their first Grand Slam together.[8] Defending champions Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci (both Italy) retained the women's doubles crown, edging Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina (both Russia) 6–4, 3–6, 7–5.[9] The mixed doubles went to Kristina Mladenovic (France) and Daniel Nestor (Canada), who beat Sania Mirza (India) and Horia Tecău (Romania) 6–3, 6–2.[10] Notable upsets included Andy Murray's quarterfinal loss to Roger Federer, world No. 1 Serena Williams' fourth-round defeat to Ana Ivanovic, and defending champion Victoria Azarenka's quarterfinal loss to Agnieszka Radwańska. The event drew over 600,000 spectators and highlighted emerging talents amid challenging conditions.Tournament Overview
Dates and Location
The 2014 Australian Open took place from 13 to 26 January, comprising the main draw over 14 days following qualifying rounds held from 8 to 12 January, and represented the 102nd edition of the tournament as well as the opening Grand Slam of the 2014 ATP World Tour and WTA Tour calendars.[11][12][13] Hosted at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the event utilized the venue's central facilities, including the flagship Rod Laver Arena with its retractable roof, alongside Hisense Arena and Margaret Court Arena as primary show courts for outer matches.[11][14] Daily play began at 11:00 a.m. local time (AEDT), with night sessions on the main arenas starting at 7:30 p.m. to accommodate prime-time viewing and cooler evening conditions, a format that supported the tournament's extension of the preceding hard court season.[15][16]Surface and Format
The 2014 Australian Open was played on outdoor hard courts surfaced with Plexicushion, an acrylic-based cushioned material provided by Plexipave. Introduced as the official surface in 2008, Plexicushion offered medium-fast play speed with a Court Pace Rating of category 4 according to ITF standards, providing consistent and uniform bounce while reducing variability in high temperatures compared to the prior Rebound Ace surface. This design promoted safer playing conditions and reliable ball response, influencing shot selection and rally lengths throughout the tournament.[17][18][19] The main draw followed standard Grand Slam structure, with 128-player fields for both men's and women's singles, 64-team draws for men's and women's doubles, and a 32-team mixed doubles event. Matches in men's singles were contested over the best of five sets, while women's singles, all doubles categories, and mixed doubles used best-of-three sets format, including tiebreaks in deciding sets. These specifications ensured a balanced progression from 127 matches in singles first rounds to the final, accommodating qualifiers and direct entries.[20][21] In addition to the professional events, the tournament encompassed junior championships for players under 18 in singles and doubles, wheelchair tennis across men's and women's singles, doubles, and quad divisions—following modified rules allowing a double bounce—and an invitational legends doubles competition featuring teams of retired professionals. These supplementary formats extended play across multiple courts at Melbourne Park, fostering inclusivity and showcasing diverse competitive levels.[22][23][24]Broadcast and Attendance
Media Coverage
In Australia, the Seven Network delivered free-to-air television coverage of the 2014 Australian Open across Channel Seven and 7Two, providing live broadcasts of all matches from Rod Laver Arena and other show courts, with sessions typically running from morning through to late evening depending on the local time zone.[25] The presentation was hosted by Johanna Griggs, Jim Wilson, Matt White, Hamish McLachlan, and Basil Zempilas, while the commentary team was led by Bruce McAvaney and featured tennis experts including Jim Courier, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Rennae Stubbs, and Roger Rasheed, offering analysis throughout the tournament.[25] Reporters such as Rebecca Maddern and Nathan Templeton provided on-site updates and interviews.[25] Internationally, ESPN held the broadcast rights in the United States, marking its 30th year of coverage with extensive programming across ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, including live matches, highlights, and studio analysis from Melbourne starting on January 12, 2014.[26] In Europe, Eurosport broadcast the event live, with dedicated studios in Melbourne featuring commentators like Mats Wilander and Barbara Schett to cover key matches and daily recaps for audiences across multiple territories.[27] Streaming options were available through Tennis TV, the official ATP streaming service, which provided access to live and on-demand matches for subscribers worldwide, enhancing the tournament's digital footprint. Digitally, the official Australian Open website (ausopen.com) served as a central hub for live scores, draws, player statistics, and match updates, allowing fans to follow the tournament in real-time without traditional TV access.[28] The event's social media presence, particularly via the @AustralianOpen Twitter account, amplified engagement through highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and fan interactions, contributing to a broad online reach during the fortnight.[29] Overall, these arrangements ensured comprehensive global dissemination of the tournament, reaching audiences through a mix of linear television, streaming, and interactive platforms.Spectator Figures
The 2014 Australian Open drew a total attendance of 643,280 spectators across its 14-day duration, marking a slight decline from the 684,457 recorded in 2013 primarily due to an extreme heatwave that deterred crowds on multiple days.[30][31] Despite these conditions, ticket pre-sales hit an all-time high, fueled by the presence of star players like Stan Wawrinka and Li Na, alongside expanded facilities at Melbourne Park from ongoing redevelopment.[30] Daily attendance averaged around 46,000, with significant variation influenced by weather and match scheduling. Peak crowds exceeded 80,000 on Middle Saturday (January 18, Heineken Day), reaching 80,219—the third-highest single-day total in tournament history at the time—while the opening day (January 13) saw 63,595 fans.[32] Lower figures, such as 49,860 on January 15, a heat-affected day early in the tournament, highlighted the environmental impact on turnout.[32] The tournament's spectator figures underscored its growing economic impact, with merchandise sales rising 4% over 2013 levels amid robust ground-pass demand during peak weekends.[30] This physical attendance complemented broader visibility gains from media coverage, reinforcing the event's status as a major global draw.[33]Points and Prize Money
Ranking Points Distribution
The ranking points system for the 2014 Australian Open followed the standard ATP and WTA distributions for Grand Slam tournaments, awarding points based on round reached in singles and doubles events to contribute to players' year-end rankings. These points incentivized deep runs in the tournament, with the highest allocations for the champions.[34]ATP Men's Singles Points
| Round Reached | Points |
|---|---|
| Winner | 2000 |
| Runner-up | 1200 |
| Semi-final | 720 |
| Quarter-final | 360 |
| Round of 16 | 180 |
| Round of 32 | 90 |
| Round of 64 | 45 |
| First round | 10 |
WTA Women's Singles Points
| Round Reached | Points |
|---|---|
| Winner | 2000 |
| Runner-up | 1300 |
| Semi-final | 780 |
| Quarter-final | 430 |
| Round of 16 | 240 |
| Round of 32 | 130 |
| Round of 64 | 70 |
| First round | 10 |
Financial Prizes
The 2014 Australian Open featured a total prize pool of A$33,000,000, representing a 10% increase from the A$30,000,000 offered in 2013.[37][38] This boost reflected the tournament's ongoing commitment to elevating financial rewards, with all amounts distributed in Australian dollars (AUD). International players, as non-residents, were subject to Australian withholding tax on their earnings, typically at rates determined by tax treaties between Australia and their home countries.[39] A key highlight was the implementation of equal prize money for men's and women's events, a policy the Australian Open had maintained since 2001. Both the men's and women's singles champions received A$2,650,000, while runners-up earned A1,325,000 each.[37] This parity extended to doubles, where winning teams in both men's and women's categories split A$520,000.[37] Payouts scaled progressively through the rounds, providing substantial incentives even for early exits. In singles, first-round losers received A$30,000, round of 64 participants A$50,000, round of 32 A$75,000, while quarterfinalists earned A$270,000. Semifinalists took home A$540,000, underscoring the tournament's structure to reward deeper progression.[37]| Event | Round | Prize Money (per player/team, AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Singles (Men/Women) | Winner | 2,650,000 |
| Runner-up | 1,325,000 | |
| Semifinal | 540,000 | |
| Quarterfinal | 270,000 | |
| Round of 16 | 135,000 | |
| Round of 32 | 75,000 | |
| Round of 64 | 50,000 | |
| First Round | 30,000 | |
| Doubles (Men/Women, per pair) | Winner | 520,000 |
| Runner-up | 260,000 | |
| Semifinal | 130,000 | |
| Quarterfinal | 65,000 | |
| Round of 16 | 36,000 | |
| Round of 32 | 21,000 | |
| First Round | 13,500 |
Wheelchair and Junior Prize Money
Wheelchair events offered scaled prizes: singles winners received A$22,000, runners-up A11,000, with doubles teams splitting A$15,000 for the title. Junior singles champions earned A$6,500, reflecting the developmental focus.[37]Players and Entries
Top Seeds
The seeding for the 2014 Australian Open singles draws was based on the ATP and WTA rankings released on January 6, 2014, with adjustments for protected rankings due to prior injuries; 32 players were seeded in each draw to distribute top talent across sections and minimize early-round clashes between favorites.Men's Singles Top Seeds
The men's draw featured a strong contingent of established stars, led by world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, who entered as the top seed despite a recent back injury that limited his late-2013 schedule, setting high expectations for a potential clash with defending champion Novak Djokovic in the later stages. Other notable top seeds included six-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer, returning from knee surgery, and 2013 US Open champion Juan Martín del Potro, whose seeding reflected his grass-court prowess adapted to hard courts. Andy Murray received the No. 4 seed via protected ranking after missing much of 2013 due to back surgery. The lowest seed was No. 32 Mikhail Youzhny of Russia, a veteran known for his consistent baseline game and prior deep runs at Melbourne Park.| Seed | Player | Country | Notable Achievements Entering Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafael Nadal | Spain | World No. 1; 2013 US Open champion; 13 Grand Slam titles |
| 2 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia | Defending Australian Open champion; 6 Grand Slam titles |
| 3 | David Ferrer | Spain | Consistent top-5 performer; 2013 ATP Finals participant |
| 4 | Andy Murray | Great Britain | 2013 Wimbledon champion; protected ranking |
| 5 | Juan Martín del Potro | Argentina | 2009 US Open champion; rising from injury |
| 6 | Roger Federer | Switzerland | 17-time Grand Slam winner; post-surgery comeback |
| 7 | Tomáš Berdych | Czech Republic | 2010 Wimbledon finalist; powerful serve |
| 8 | Stan Wawrinka | Switzerland | 2013 US Open doubles champion; improving singles form |
Women's Singles Top Seeds
Serena Williams topped the women's seeds as world No. 1, aiming to add to her 17 Grand Slam titles after a dominant 2013, while defending champion Victoria Azarenka sought a third Melbourne title amid questions about her knee recovery. Maria Sharapova, the 2008 Australian Open winner, was seeded third despite ongoing shoulder issues, bringing her aggressive all-court style. The draw included rising talents like No. 4 Li Na, the 2011 French Open champion with strong hard-court results, and No. 5 Agnieszka Radwańska, known for her tactical variety and 2012 Wimbledon final appearance. The No. 32 seed was Magdaléna Rybáriková of Slovakia. Some seeds benefited from protected status following injury absences.| Seed | Player | Country | Notable Achievements Entering Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Serena Williams | United States | World No. 1; 17 Grand Slam titles; 2013 US Open champion |
| 2 | Victoria Azarenka | Belarus | Defending Australian Open champion; 2 Grand Slam titles |
| 3 | Maria Sharapova | Russia | 2008 Australian Open champion; 4 Grand Slam titles |
| 4 | Li Na | China | 2011 French Open champion; strong 2013 hard-court results |
| 5 | Agnieszka Radwańska | Poland | 2012 Wimbledon finalist; versatile all-court player |
| 6 | Petra Kvitová | Czech Republic | 2011 Wimbledon champion; powerful lefty game |
| 7 | Sara Errani | Italy | 2012 French Open doubles champion; clay-to-hard transition |
| 8 | Jelena Janković | Serbia | Former world No. 1; 2008 US Open finalist |
Wildcard Allocations
Wildcard allocations for the 2014 Australian Open provided direct entry into the main draw for selected players, complementing the seeded competitors to complete the 128-player singles fields and team events. In line with Grand Slam traditions, Tennis Australia awarded eight wildcards each for men's and women's singles, prioritizing emerging local talent, promising juniors, and players with compelling comeback narratives. These invitations aimed to showcase Australian depth while offering opportunities to international prospects recovering from injuries or ranking dips.[40] In men's singles, Australian wildcards went to several home favorites, including 22-year-old James Duckworth, who earned his spot through consistent challenger-level performances and as a representative of rising domestic talent. Similarly, 18-year-old Nick Kyrgios and 17-year-old Thanasi Kokkinakis received entries, highlighting their potential after reaching the 2013 junior boys' singles final—Kyrgios as the winner and Kokkinakis as the runner-up—marking them as exciting local stories for the tournament. Big-serving Victorian Sam Groth also secured a wildcard, reflecting Tennis Australia's support for power players rebuilding their careers on the ATP circuit.[41][42][40] Women's singles wildcards emphasized Australian representation and resilience, with Jarmila Gajdošová, a former top-25 player, awarded an entry as part of her comeback from a career-low ranking after maternity leave and health issues, underscoring stories of perseverance. Olivia Rogowska, a 22-year-old Melbourne native, received a wildcard to reward her steady progress on the ITF circuit and inject local enthusiasm into the draw. Other allocations included promising Australian juniors like 17-year-old Ashleigh Barty and 19-year-old Storm Sanders, focusing on nurturing the next generation of homegrown stars. Argentine Paula Ormaechea was among the international recipients, offering the South American a chance to compete at the Grand Slam level during a transitional phase in her career. Australian doubles specialist Casey Dellacqua also received a wildcard for singles on home soil.[40][43] For doubles and mixed doubles, wildcards supported team-based entries, including Australian pairs to promote national partnerships. Casey Dellacqua was granted a women's doubles wildcard alongside partner, aligning with efforts to bolster local doubles expertise. Internationally, the Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoff awarded entries to Xinyun Han and Miki Miyamura (China/Japan) for women's doubles, and Yuki Bhambri and Michael Venus (India/New Zealand) for men's doubles, recognizing regional talent development. These allocations totaled eight per doubles category, ensuring a balanced mix of experience and emerging teams.[40][44]| Category | Key Wildcard Recipients (Examples) | Nationality/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Men's Singles | James Duckworth, Nick Kyrgios, Thanasi Kokkinakis | Australia (local juniors and prospects) |
| Women's Singles | Jarmila Gajdošová, Olivia Rogowska, Ashleigh Barty | Australia (comeback and emerging talent) |
| Paula Ormaechea | Argentina (international entry) | |
| Doubles (Men's/Women's) | Yuki Bhambri/Michael Venus, Xinyun Han/Miki Miyamura | Asia-Pacific winners; Australian pairs like Casey Dellacqua teams |