Adelaide is one of the largest cities in Australia and boasts a long history of extraordinary tennis. Adelaide, South Australia’s capital, had been the long-time host of the South Australian championships and was seen as the build-up to the Australian Open, the country’s only major tournament. However, with the creation of the Brisbane International in 2009, Adelaide missed out on hosting an ATP or WTA tournament leading up to the Australian Open. That changed in 2023 with the Adelaide International. This article looks at the tournament’s history, how the first event went, and what to expect in 2024.
A Rich History of Tennis in Adelaide
Adelaide is excited about the 2024 championships, and we will surely get to some predictions that will have readers running to the best online sportsbook. However, we must start with the history. While it has been over 30 years since the South Australian Championships were abolished, the city of Adelaide hosted 88 such events in one of the most famous tennis tournaments in the country.
Founded in 1889, the South Australian Championships were part of the men’s amateur tour until 1967. In 1972, it became part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit, which ran with other tours like the World Championship Tennis circuit. The 1970s were chaotic for the tournament as it once again represented a professional tour. Near the end of its run, the tournament was the season’s opening event as a build-up to the Australian Open. However, by 1989, the tournament ended.
Tennis Returns to Adelaide
After nearly three decades without significant professional tennis, the return of The Adelaide International was announced as beginning in 2020. This coincided with a $10 million investment from the South Australian government to construct a roof structure over the Memorial Drive Tennis Center, part of an agreement with Tennis Australian to secure a five-year contract for the new tournament.
The Adelaide International began with humble roots, starting as a combined WTA Premier and ATP 250 event, but with only a few stars. The then #4 ranked Simona Halep, a two-time Grand Slam winner, was the first major star to headline the tournament. Since then, the tournament has become a star-studded event, featuring players like Novak Djokovic, the 2023 Adelaide International 1 winner, and Australia’s own Nick Kyrgios.
Adelaide International 1 2023 Results
The 2023 Adelaide International featured many world tennis stars, including Djokovic and Kyrgios. Adelaide International 1 occurred between 01–08 January and featured Felix Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, and Djokovic. In the women’s draw, fans saw Ons Jabeur, Aryna Sabalenka, Daria Kasatkina, and American Danielle Collins.
The tournament itself was thrilling. Djokovic dominated, needing just two sets in his first four rounds. Frenchman Quentin Halys gave Djokovic some trouble in the second round, forcing him to win tiebreaks in each set. The final was the tournament’s best match, with Djokovic battling Sebastian Korda of the United States for three sets. Korda won a thrilling first set via a 10-8 tiebreak before Djokovic struck back with a 7-3 tiebreak win. Ultimately, Djokovic broke Korda in the 3rd set and prevailed in a 6-4, winning the match and the championship.
Adelaide International 2 2023 Results
Adelaide International 2 occurred in the following week, with far more shocking results. South Korean Soonwoo Kwon was in an epic two-hour, 43-minute battle with the tournament’s 4th seed Roberto Bautista Agut. He prevailed 6–4, 3–6, 7–6 (7–4) for his second ATP Tour singles title. The match itself? Brilliant. The thrill of winning a second ATP Tour? Undeniable. So why is this result shocking? Kwon entered the tournament as the lucky loser.
That’s right. For just the 10th time in ATP Tour history, Kwon entered the tournament as a lucky loser and won five consecutive matches to take home the tournament win. Kwon lost in the final qualifying round and only found himself in the main draw as the lucky loser.
“Since being beaten in qualifying, I told myself I’ve got nothing to lose,” Kwon said. “Then I came to the finals. And why not? I put every energy into it, and that worked.” The tournament win was the exact inspired tennis Adelaide had been missing for years.
What Can Fans Expect In 2024?
The 2024 tournament is as star-studded as ever, with 16 top-20 players confirmed already. These include three top-20 men — Tommy Paul, Nicolas Jarry, and Ugo Humbert — and 2023 finalist Korda and Australia’s #2 male Alexei Popyrin. On the other side, 13 of the world’s top 20 women will participate in the women’s draw. Paul and Jarry enter as the favorites on the men’s side, while half of the women’s top 10 will participate, including Elena Rybakina (#4) and Jessica Pegula (#5).
Will This Year’s Tournament Meet Expectations?
It will take a lot of work for the 2024 Adelaide International to match the excitement from last year’s event. From having an all-time great like Djokovic win to having a lucky loser take the crown, the 2023 tournament was one for the books. Fans can, however, expect great tennis in Adelaide next year.
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