The world’s top tennis players, from Carlos Alcaraz to Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka to Coco Gauff, have arrived Down Under as the first Grand Slam of the year begins in Melbourne this week.
The famous blue hard courts will see the all-time great Novak Djokovic continue his quest for a record-extending 11th Australian Open and 25th Grand Slam title amidst a modern-day rivalry between defending champion Sinner and world number one Alcaraz.
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In the women’s draw, Sabalenka will once again be aiming for her third Australian Open title, but will face a tough challenge from Iga Swiatek, Gauff and Amanda Anisimova.
And thousands of fans will brave the Australian summer to watch some of the game’s biggest stars in action.
Here’s what you need to know about the 2026 Australian Open.
When does the main match of Australian Open 2026 start and when is the final?
The first round of men’s and women’s singles matches will begin on Sunday, January 18th.
The women’s singles final will take place at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday, January 31st, while the men’s singles final will take place the following day at the same venue.
Where is the Australian Open held?
The first Slam tournament of the year will be held at the hard court venue at Melbourne Park. Other than Rod Laver Arena, the main courts are Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena.
Who is the defending Australian Open champion?
Madison Keys defeated two-time champion Sabalenka in three sets in the 2025 final to win her first tournament.
The men’s final was a masterclass from Jannik Sinner, as the Italian defeated Germany’s Alexander Zverev in straight sets to win his second Australian Open title.
Will Djokovic play in the 2026 Australian Open?
The Serbian player withdrew from the Adelaide Open, which is considered a prelude to the Australian Open, saying he was “not physically ready” for the tournament.
The tennis great did not reveal whether it was an injury or if he simply needed to rest before the tournament, but confirmed he planned to arrive in Melbourne before the first round to be named in the tournament’s draw.
Who is the favorite to win the Australian Open in 2026?
An exciting combination of former champions and current top-ranked players count as one of the favorites to lift the title at the end of the fortnight.
Carlos Alcaraz: The world No. 1 has not played an official match since losing to the home favorite in straight sets at the ATP Finals against Sinner in Turin, Italy. However, he racked up wins in hard court tournaments at the end of the year and ended 2025 at the top of the ATP rankings. The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam title he has missed out on and top seed Alcaraz will be keen to break that record at the start of the new tennis season.
Jannik Sinner: After losing to Alcaraz in the US Open final, Sinner won four of the five ATP tournaments he played in, including the ATP Finals at home. The defending champion will be aiming to complete a ‘three-peat’ at the only Grand Slam he has won multiple times.
Daniil Medvedev: The former US Open champion had a rocky season in 2025. Although he has not played in a Grand Slam final since the 2024 Australian Open, the Russian started the season with victory at the Brisbane International. Despite falling out of the top 10, Medvedev is currently ranked 12th in the ATP rankings and will be one of Melbourne’s dark horses.
Aryna Sabalenka: Despite spending most of 2025 at the top of the women’s rankings and reaching three Grand Slam finals, Sabalenka finished the year on a high, winning only the US Open title. The Belarusian player has evolved his game from hard court expertise to further progress on grass and clay courts. She will relish the opportunity to win a third Australian Open title, which she missed out on last year. Sabalenka enters the tournament as the top seed after winning the title in Brisbane without dropping a set.
Iga Swiatek: The unassuming Polish player has won more women’s singles Grand Slam titles (six) than any current top WTA player, but has yet to lift an Australian Open trophy. Swiatek experienced mixed results at the 2025 majors, but tasted success at Wimbledon with a near-perfect final. The 24-year-old started the year with Poland’s victory over Switzerland in the United Cup, arriving in Melbourne in second place.
Amanda Anisimova: Anisimova lost in both of her Grand Slam finals last year, Wimbledon and the US Open, but after briefly taking a break from competition in 2023 citing mental health concerns, she returned in 2024 and has since rapidly climbed back into the WTA rankings. The 24-year-old, currently ranked fourth in the world, has shown the ability to beat top seeds in major tournaments and will be a player to keep an eye on in the women’s draw.
Who is the top seed?
For men:
Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) Jannik Sinner (Italy) Alexander Zverev (Germany) Novak Djokovic (Serbia) Lorenzo Musetti (Italy) Alex de Minaur (Australia) Felix Auger-Aliassime (Canada) Ben Shelton (USA) Taylor Fritz (USA) Alexander Bublik (Kazakhstan)
Women’s:
Alina Sabalenka (Belarus) Iga Swiatek (Poland) Coco Gauff (USA) Amanda Anisimova (USA) Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) Jessica Pegula (USA) Jasmine Paolini (Italy) Mira Andreeva (Russia) Madison Keys (USA) Belinda Bencic (Switzerland)
Could there be a Sinner vs. Alcaraz or Sabalenka vs. Gauff final?
The top two seeds will be placed on opposite halves of the men’s singles draw and will be able to meet in the final if they qualify.
Djokovic and Sinner are in the same half and are on a collision course to meet in the semi-finals, while Alcaraz could face last year’s runner-up Zverev in the semi-finals.
In the women’s draw, there is a possibility of a final match between Sabalenka and Swiatek. Swiatek could face Anisimova in the semifinals, while Gauff is in the draw for Sabalenka and the two could meet in the semifinals.
Will Venus Williams qualify for the 2026 Australian Open?
Williams has been granted a wild card berth to the Australian Open, which will be her first appearance in the tournament in five years.
Gauff, 45, will be the oldest woman to play in the main draw of the Australian Open and could face her in the second round of the Australian Open, more than six years after they first faced each other in a major.
Gauff was 15 when she defeated the seven-time major champion in the first round of Wimbledon in 2019, her Grand Slam debut.
Why will Roger Federer play in the 2026 Australian Open?
Federer will headline the exhibition event “Battle of the World No1s,” which is the opening event of the Grand Slam.
The Swiss great will return to Rod Laver Arena for the first time since his retirement in 2022, as a Grand Slam at Melbourne Park will introduce an “opening ceremony” for the first time.
It will be held on the eve of the tournament’s start on January 18 and will include a tribute to Federer, who won the Norman Brooks trophy for six of his 20 major titles.
He will also join four-time Australian Open champion Andre Agassi and Australians Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt in a star-studded match.
How can I purchase tickets for the 2026 Australian Open?
Tickets are now available on the tournament’s official website.
How much is the prize money for the 2026 Australian Open?
The total prize money is $74.9 million, with the men’s and women’s singles winners receiving $2.79 million each.
How can I follow and live stream Australian Open 2026?
The tournament will be broadcast on local and terrestrial broadcast stations, as well as digital streaming services around the world.
Al Jazeera Sports will cover the men’s singles and women’s singles finals with live text and photo commentary.
