Australian Open 2016: TV Schedule, Live Stream Info For The Full Two Weeks Of The Tennis Grand Slam

The new tennis season may only be two weeks old, but the quest to win its first major prize is set to begin in Melbourne on Monday. The Australian Open’s early spot on the calendar has seen it throw up plenty of surprises in the past. This time around, in the men’s draw at least, anything other than a victory for the world No. 1 would register as a major upset.

Novak Djokovic, winner of three Grand Slams in 2015 and eight more titles besides, has picked up right where he left off at the start of this year. Indeed, his demolition of Rafael Nadal in the final of the Qatar Open a week ago was one of his finest ever performances. And he is now going into what has been his most successful Major, winning an Open-era record five Australian Open crowns.

There are three other former champions in the men’s draw. Roger Federer has taken the prize on four occasions, although the last one of those came in 2010. Rafael Nadal has one win to his name, but that was in 2009, when he knocked off Federer in the final. The Spaniard returned to the final in 2013 and 2014, only to be beaten by Djokovic and then the man who is seeded fourth this time around and has often saved his best for Melbourne, Stan Wawrinka.

For second seed Andy Murray, the Australian Open has brought plenty of pain over the years, losing four finals. A Murray win at last would certainly be popular, but there is no doubt who the sentimental favorite is at this year’s event. Australian Lleyton Hewitt, a losing finalist to Marat Safin back in 2005,will, at the age of 34, be playing his final tournament before retiring. Hewitt’s quest to extend his career a few matches longer will begin on Tuesday. But Monday’s schedule of play will see both Federer, going up against Georgian Nikolz Basilashvili, and Djokovic, taking on South Korean teenager Chung Hyeon, in action.

Also taking to the main Rod Laver Arena court on the opening day will be the women’s defending champion Serena Williams. And the world No. 1’s debut will be a closely scrutinized one. Like, Djokovic, Williams won three of the four Majors last season, yet her quest for a Calendar Grand Slam was ended in agonizing fashion in the semifinals of the U.S. Open. Since then, citing a variety of ailments, she has yet to complete a match. And her return at the Hopman Cup two weeks ago was ended prematurely by a withdrawal with a knee injury.

Fascinatingly, following her defeat to Roberta Vinci in New York, Serena’s bow at the Australian Open will also come against an Italian. Camila Giorgi, who, with a ranking of 30, only just missed out on a seeding, will be the woman this time looking to pull off a stunning upset.

Beginning Monday’s play on Rod Laver Arena will be two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, while 2008 Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova will also be in action. Perhaps the biggest threat to Williams’ title, though, could come from Victoria Azarenka. Not only has the Belarusian won the event twice before, but she comes into this year’s Australian Open in fine form after winning the title in Brisbane to start the year.

Tournament and TV schedule (all times EST)

Sunday, Jan. 17
7:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.: First round, ESPN2

Monday, Jan. 18
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: First round, Tennis Channel
9:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.: First round, ESPN2

Tuesday, Jan. 19
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Second round, Tennis Channel
9:00 PM - 7:00 AM: Second round, ESPN2

Wednesday, Jan. 20
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Second round, Tennis Channel
9:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.: Second round, ESPN2

Thursday, Jan. 21
7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.: Third round, Tennis Channel
11:00 p.m.- 7:00 a.m.: Third round, ESPN 2

Friday, Jan. 22
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Third round, Tennis Channel
9:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.: Third round, ESPN2

Saturday, Jan. 23
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Fourth round, Tennis Channel
9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.: Fourth round, ESPN2

Sunday, Jan. 24
3:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m.: Fourth round, ESPN2
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Fourth round, Tennis Channel
9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.: Fourth round, ESPN2

Monday, Jan. 25
3:00 a.m. - 6:30 a.m.: Fourth round, ESPN2
​7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Quarterfinals, Tennis Channel
9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.: Quarterfinals, ESPN2

Tuesday, Jan. 26
3:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m.: Quarterfinals, ESPN2
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Quarterfinals, Tennis Channel
9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.: Quarterfinals, ESPN2

Wednesday, Jan. 27
3:30 a.m. - 6:00 a.m.: Quarterfinals, ESPN2
7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.: Quarterfinals, Tennis Channel
9:30 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.: Women’s semifinals, ESPN2

Thursday, Jan. 28
3:30 a.m. - 6:00 a.m.: Men’s semifinals, ESPN
11:00 p.m. - 3:30 a.m.: Women's doubles final, mixed-doubles semifinals, Tennis Channel

Friday, Jan. 29
3:30 a.m. - 6:00 a.m.: Men’s semifinals, ESPN

Saturday, Jan. 30
3:00 a.m. - 5:30 a.m.: Women’s final, ESPN
5:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.: Men’s doubles final, Tennis Channel

Sunday, Jan. 31
12:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.: Mixed-doubles final, Tennis Channel
3:00 a.m. - 6:30 a.m.: Men’s singles final, ESPN

Live stream: The whole tournament will be available to stream on ESPN3 and Watch ESPN, with those matches on the Tennis Channel also available on Tennis Channel Everywhere.