Melbourne: The world’s top tennis players, from Carlos Alcaraz to Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka to Coco Gauff, have arrived in Melbourne for the Australian Open 2026, the year’s first Grand Slam.
The tournament’s famous blue hard courts will feature all-time great Novak Djokovic as he chases a record-extending 11th Australian Open and 25th Grand Slam title, amid a high-profile rivalry between defending champion Sinner and world number one Alcaraz.
In the women’s draw, Sabalenka aims for her third Australian Open title but faces strong competition from Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Amanda Anisimova. Thousands of fans are expected to brave the Australian summer to watch the sport’s biggest stars in action.
Our defending champions' first round opponents 🏆
Jannik Sinner v Hugo Gaston
Madison Keys v Oleksandra Oliynykova pic.twitter.com/AEqu5czwIJ— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2026
Tournament schedule and venues
The main rounds of men’s and women’s singles begin on January 18. The women’s singles final will be held at Rod Laver Arena on January 31, followed by the men’s singles final a day later on February 1st.
Matches will take place at Melbourne Park across the Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, and John Cain Arena.
Top Contenders and Seeded Players
Men’s Singles Top Seeds:
- 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 Singles Top Seeds
- Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus)
- Iga Swiatek (Poland)
- Coco Gauff (USA)
- Amanda Anisimova (USA)
- Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan)
- Jessica Pegula (USA)
- Jasmine Paolini (Italy)
- Mirra Andreeva (Russia)
- Madison Keys (USA)
- Belinda Bencic (Switzerland)
Special participants and events
- Venus Williams: Granted a wild-card entry, competing in the main draw for the first time in five years at age 45; may face Gauff in the second round.
- Roger Federer: Will headline the inaugural ‘Battle of the World No. 1’ exhibition event on January 17, marking his first return to Rod Laver Arena since retiring in 2022.
Federer will play alongside Andre Agassi, Pat Rafter, and Lleyton Hewitt. The event also serves as a tribute to Federer’s six Australian Open titles among his 20 major wins.
Tickets and Coverage
Tickets are available through the tournament’s official website. Total prize money is $74.9 million, with men’s and women’s singles champions earning $2.79 million each. The event will be broadcast locally and globally via terrestrial and digital platforms.
This edition of the Australian Open promises high-stakes action with a mix of former champions, top-ranked players, emerging stars, and legendary appearances, making Melbourne the focal point of the tennis world for the first Grand Slam of 2026.
MOST READ | UK drops plan to make Digital ID mandatory for workers
