Australian Open draw: Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova the star attractions in new format
ROGER FEDERER and Maria Sharapova will be the main attraction as the draw for the Australian Open is televised and opened to the public for the first time.
Roger Federer beats Alexander Zverev in Hopman Cup final
Federer, the defending men’s champion, will start the tournament as favourite with Andy Murray out and doubts over the fitness of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Sharapova, who won the event in 2008, returns to Melbourne for the first time since she was banned for failing a drug test in 2016.
Traditionally the draw is held on the Friday prior to the event but organisers have moved it forward to Thursday to give it extra attention.
Federer and Sharapova will learn their first-round opponents and journey to the final alongside a panel of tennis experts including Australian tennis legend Todd Woodbridge.
Roger Federer will be at the Australian Open draw
We’re going to have a magnificent lead-in to what should be a fantastic event
Fans have also been invited to the ceremony which will take place on the Margaret Court Arena at 8am UK time.
The public can attend by making a gold-coin donation, with proceeds going to the Australian Tennis Foundation.
Tournament director Craig Tiley said: “We’re going to give it a go.
“We’re gonna to have Tie Break Tens on Wednesday night, the draw on Thursday night and there’s another event we’re going to announce for Friday pretty soon.
Maria Sharapova returns to Melbourne for the first time since she was banned for failing a drug test
“We’ve got the FightMND concert on Sunday and the Kids Tennis Day on Saturday.
“We just keep building around the Australian Open.
“We’re going to have a magnificent lead-in to what should be a fantastic event.”