Nick Kyrgios headlines an action-packed second day as eight Australian men take to the court in their home Grand Slam.

Melbourne, VIC, January 12, 2025 | Jackson Mansell

For the first time in 861 days, Nick Kyrgios will make his long-awaited return to Grand Slam tennis on Monday evening.

He’s headlining the night session at the John Cain Arena against young British star Jacob Fearnley – a setting Kyrgios is very familiar with.

“When I’m done I really want to petition to call it Kyrgios Court instead of John Cain Arena,” he continued laughing The Sit Down Podcast at the end of last year.

“I really think if we called it Kyrgios Court it would be a lot cooler and we would get a bit more buzz: ‘Oh, you played on Kyrgios Court?’ Because then it’s notoriously a bit of a chaotic, zoo-like atmosphere, I think, and then people will think of some of the best times I’ve had doing it.

“I don’t know what’s going on with this course, but I hope I can play on it again this year.”

> WATCH: Australian Open 2025 Day 2 schedule

It’s always a good time when @NickKyrgios is on JCA 🗣️

More on The Sit-Down 🎧 https://t.co/kgHNDKTRMv pic.twitter.com/6HnfLvtC8q

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) November 19, 2024

Kyrgios is one of eight Australian men who will take to the court on day two of the 2025 Australian Open.

Nick Kyrgios (AUS) against Jacob Fearnley (GBR)
Head-to-Head: First meeting

The Wimbledon 2022 finalist will look to improve on his outstanding 12-3 record at the John Cain Arena. He faces the challenging task of facing world number 92 Jacob Fearnley, who recently reached the semi-finals of the Canberra Challenger.

Kyrgios will be hoping to build on his promising performance at the Brisbane International despite losing to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in three tiebreak sets in the opening round.

“He’s been knocking on the door over the last six to nine months with some pretty good results. “He’s obviously very confident,” Kyrgios said of the Brit. “You have to be careful with these guys. I know players like me, we have a goal behind us. These guys go out there and try to play their best tennis. I experienced that.”

“I know he will be ready to take on this challenge against me in Australia. It’s going to be okay.”

(27) Jordan Thompson (AUS) v (Q) Dominik Koepfer (GER)
Head-to-Head: First meeting

Jordan Thompson’s singles game blossomed alongside his doubles success in 2024. Jordan Thompson is seeded for the first time at a Grand Slam and has his best chance of doing any damage at Melbourne Park.

Quarter-final appearances in Paris and Brisbane laid the foundation for the 30-year-old to make his mark at this tournament.

“(Playing doubles) sharpens my singles game and doubles game as well,” Thompson said. “With singles you feel like you have to attack the entire field, especially on returns. In doubles you have to hit in a relatively small space. It just feels like I have an ocean to push into in singles play.

“I think I played over 110 or 115 games last year. I just felt like I was actually getting better on the doubles court over time.”

He will play second against Dominik Koepfer at Margaret Court Arena. Koepfer was number 1 in qualifying last week and was competing in the main field for the fifth time.

Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) against Roman Safiullin
Head-to-Head: First meeting

Kokkinakis caused a stir at the Adelaide International last week. The hometown hero reached the quarter-finals for the fourth time in Adelaide but was forced to retire with a shoulder injury.

Otherwise, Kokkinakis has been on a wave of form since the US Open. The 28-year-old won the NSW Open in November before leading Australia to the Davis Cup semi-finals. Kokkinakis defeated American Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals, which culminated in a 30-point tiebreak.

He will play his third match at the Kia Arena against world number 63 Roman Safiullin.

Look what it means 🥵🔥

Thanasi Kokkinakis secures victory with his 7th match point 💪#DavisCup | @TennisAustralia | @TKokkinakis pic.twitter.com/n4d9fxwgtk

— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) November 21, 2024

Christopher O’Connell (AUS) v (12) Tommy Paul (USA)
Head-to-Head: Paul leads 2:1

While Tommy Paul is knocking on the door of the world top 10, O’Connell has proven in the past that he can keep up with the world number 11.

The Australian almost pulled off a massive comeback against Paul at Roland Garros 2021. Trailing by two sets to go, O’Connell pushed the American to within five sets and eventually lost the deciding set 10-8.

A similar effort will be required to generate excitement. Paul was just one win away from his first top 10 finish in Adelaide, but a loss to Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semi-final dented that lead.

O’Connell became a more prominent part of the ATP scene in 2024, qualifying for the best seven Masters 1000 tournaments of his career. He also finished the season strongly and reached the quarterfinals of the Belgrade Open in November.

James Duckworth (AUS) against Dominic Stricker (SUI)
Head-to-Head: First meeting

James Duckworth will begin his 12th Australian Open campaign at No. 3 against Switzerland’s Dominic Stricker – the most Australian Open appearances by an active Australian male.

The world number 89 is aiming for his first win since 2021 at Melbourne Park, where he beat Damir Dzumhur in straight sets.

In October, Duckworth won his first title in 12 months at the Hangzhou Challenger and will be hoping to continue that form at the 2025 Australian Open.

(WC) Tristan Schoolkate (AUS) against Taro Daniel (JPN)
Head-to-head: Schoolkate leads 1-0

Tristan Schoolkate will experience déjà vu when he starts his second Grand Slam campaign. Schoolkate began the 2024 US Open with a match against Taro Daniel and will look to repeat his winning performance on Court 7 on Monday.

Both players have put in excellent performances since meeting at the US Open. Schoolkate has reached two ATP Challenger semifinals and pushed Jakub Mensik to five sets in their second-round clash at Flushing Meadows. Meanwhile, Daniel reached the ATP Challenger Finals in Taipei and Seoul and prevailed there.

(WC) James McCabe (AUS) v (Q) Martin Landaluce (ESP)
Head-to-Head: First meeting

After a brave performance at the 2024 Australian Open when he pushed Alex Michelsen to four sets, James McCabe will be looking for his first Grand Slam victory.

The world number 258 made significant progress in 2024 as he qualified for his first ATP event. McCabe qualified for the Eastbourne International, while he was also granted entry to the Adelaide International and the Hangzhou Open.

He will face Grand Slam debutant Martin Landaluce at number 6. Landaluce had come from behind in the third qualifying round to secure their place in the main draw.

> WATCH: Australian Open 2025 Men’s Singles draw

Aleksandar Vukic will also go on trial against Damir Dzumhur after his game was postponed.

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