Australian Open 2026: The Grand Slam Season Begins in Melbourne

The First Major of 2026 Gets Underway

The 2026 Australian Open is a Grand Slam tennis tournament held at Melbourne Park from 18 January to 1 February 2026, marking the 114th edition and the first major of the year. As the opening Grand Slam of the tennis calendar, this prestigious event draws global attention and sets the tone for the season ahead. The tournament has increased total prize money by 16% to a record A$111,500,000.

Top Seeds and Defending Champions

Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka are the top seeds for Australian Open 2026, headlining the men’s and women’s singles main draws. However, Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys are the defending men’s and women’s singles champions respectively. Sinner is going for a three-peat in Melbourne after defeating Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev in each of the last two Australian Open men’s finals.

Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff are the top three seeds in the women’s draw for the second consecutive year. The tournament promises intense competition as the world’s best players vie for glory and substantial prize money.

Key Storylines and Player Watch

Several compelling narratives are emerging ahead of the tournament. Doubts are surrounding Novak Djokovic’s fitness heading into this year’s Australian Open after the 10-time champion reportedly had trouble with his neck in a practice session. Djokovic has not taken part in any of the lead-up tournaments to the Australian Open.

The tournament will also see notable absences. Jack Draper confirmed he will not play at the 2026 Australian Open as he recovers from injury. Meanwhile, 30th seed Maya Joint is the first Australian woman to be seeded since Ash Barty won AO 2022 as the top seed.

Significance for Tennis Fans

The Australian Open 2026 represents more than just another tournament—it’s a showcase of tennis excellence and the beginning of a new Grand Slam season. With record prize money, top-tier competition, and compelling storylines involving both established champions and rising stars, this year’s tournament promises to deliver memorable matches and potentially historic moments. Whether Sinner can achieve his three-peat or if challengers like Alcaraz and Djokovic can upset the defending champion remains to be seen, making this a must-watch event for tennis enthusiasts worldwide.