The Australian Open will offer a record A$111.5 million ($74.73 million) in prize money this year and while players welcomed the increase, top names like Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka said the push for a bigger payout must continue across the Grand Slams.

The 24-year-old Italian arrived at Melbourne Park last year under intense pressure, not knowing his fate after a drugs scandal.

Nick Kyrgios was feted like a rockstar at an exhibition event in Melbourne on Tuesday, but remained adamant a decision not to play singles at the Australian Open was the right one.

Tennis fans in Australia could win A$10 million ($6.71 million) by correctly predicting every match winner at the Australian Open, tournament organisers said on Tuesday.

Carlos Alcaraz beat great rival Jannik Sinner in a light-hearted sell-out exhibition match in South Korea on Saturday ahead of the Australian Open.

Aryna Sabalenka said her much-maligned exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios had paid dividends as she demolished Cristina Bucsa on Tuesday to launch her Australian Open preparations.

The winners of the men's and women's singles at the first Grand Slam of the year will each take home Aus$4.15 million (US$2.79 million), up 19 percent from last year's Aus$3.5 million.

The Swiss great will be back on Rod Laver Arena for the first time since he retired in 2022 as the Grand Slam at Melbourne Park introduces an inaugural "opening ceremony".

Nick Kyrgios said Thursday his long-term knee injury had suddenly improved, giving him hopes of a "miracle" comeback in time for the Australian Open in January.

Bold swings and cheeky dropshots can earn amateur tennis players bragging rights and a million-dollar payday when they take on top professionals in a single-point showdown ahead of next year's Australian Open main draw.

The 23-year-old came through a tense battle between the world's top two players 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena, raising his arms in the air and looking to the sky in celebration.

The victory earned the Italian world number one his third Grand Slam crown.

The former world number one responded on Saturday, posting a photo of an MRI taken of his left hamstring on the social media platform X with the caption: "Thought I'd leave this here for all the sports injury 'experts' out there."

It is Keys's first major title, having reached a second Grand Slam final eight years after her first in New York. She lost on that occasion to Sloane Stephens

Sinner's coach Darren Cahill said it was no surprise for him to see his young charge back in the final, but they were wary of the threat posed by Zverev's overarching desire to finally win a Slam.

The American battled injury and self-doubts last year and curtailed her season early, in October, to get married.

Swiatek said she made far too many mistakes against Keys on Rod Laver Arena and hoped to draw lessons from it.

The 19th seed powered through a thrilling semi-final on a final-set tiebreak against the world number two 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10/8) after Sabalenka had earlier swept aside Paula Badosa in straight sets.

The Italian top seed faces Ben Shelton on Friday, just two matches away from a first successful Grand Slam title defence after winning his maiden major crown in Melbourne last year.

The all-action 22-year-old told reporters after battling past Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) in the quarter-finals that he felt a lot of "negativity".