The Australian Open 2026 is set to begin, and the excitement is palpable! But who will emerge as the champions? Let's dive into the details and explore the favorites.
When is the Australian Open 2026?
The main draw commences on Sunday, January 18, 2026, with the gates opening at 10 am AEDT for the morning session and 5 pm AEDT for the evening session. The tournament will take place at Melbourne Park, featuring 39 courts, including the iconic Rod Laver Arena.
When are the Finals?
The women's final is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026, followed by the men's final on Sunday, February 1, 2026. This year's prize pool is a staggering $111.5 million, a 16% increase from 2025.
How to Watch?
Channel 9 is the host broadcaster, offering coverage on its streaming service, 9NOW, and Stan Sport. For those who prefer listening, ABC Grandstand will provide commentary via the Listen app and abc.net.au/sport, while ABC Sport digital will blog every moment on abc.net.au/sport.
** Reigning Champions **
Madison Keys, the current WTA No. 7, claimed the 2025 Australian Open title, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set match. On the men's side, Jannik Sinner, ranked No. 2 in the world, lifted the trophy after a relatively easy three-set victory over Alexander Zverev.
Australian Heroes in the Main Draw
Australian fans will have plenty of local stars to cheer for. Alex de Minaur, ranked in the top 10, leads the charge. Other Aussies in the singles competition include Alexi Popyrin (No. 49), Thanasi Kokkinakis (No. 84 using protected ranking), and Maya Joint (No. 32), who will be seeded 30th in her second AO appearance.
Top Women to Watch
Aryna Sabalenka, fresh off her Brisbane International title and the most recent Grand Slam winner at the US Open, is the player to beat. Iga Świątek, ranked No. 2, is a strong contender, but concerns about her fitness and form linger after a series of mysterious meltdowns. Belinda Bencic, the Most Valuable Player at the United Cup, is also in the mix, despite never making it beyond the fourth round at the AO.
Last year's champion, Madison Keys, ranked No. 9, will aim to defend her title. Other top seeds include Elena Rybakina, Amanda Anisimova, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini, and Mirra Andreeva.
Top Men to Watch
Jannik Sinner, ranked No. 2, seeks his third consecutive AO title and fifth Grand Slam victory. Carlos Alcaraz, ranked No. 1, is another player to watch, having never made it past the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park. Novak Djokovic, the record-holder for most men's AO titles at 10, will also be in the running, despite recent withdrawal from the Adelaide International.
Other top contenders include Daniil Medvedev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and the likes of Zverev, Lorenzo Musetti, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and de Minaur.
Stay tuned as the Australian Open 2026 unfolds, and get ready for some thrilling tennis action!
