As the tennis world descends on Melbourne for the first Grand Slam of the year, storylines are swirling, expectations are sky-high, and the stakes? Well, they don’t get much bigger.
From rising stars chasing history to legends trying to hold off the next generation, the 2026 Australian Open is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory. Here's what to watch as the action kicks off.
Can Anyone Stop the 'Sincaraz' Era?
Let’s start with the men’s draw, where the ATP Tour is increasingly looking like a two-man show. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have split the last eight major titles between them, and at this point, the rest of the field is playing catch-up.
Sinner, with his laser-precise baseline game and steely composure, has been particularly lethal on the medium-fast hard courts of Melbourne. The Italian is chasing his third straight Australian Open crown, and his game is tailor-made for this surface. His timing, footwork, and ability to take the ball early make him a nightmare matchup for just about anyone.
Alcaraz, on the other hand, brings a more improvisational flair. He hasn’t quite cracked the Melbourne code yet-he’s never been past the quarterfinals-but that’s less about ability and more about rhythm. The early part of the season hasn’t always been kind to him in terms of timing and consistency.
Now, he's entering a new chapter. For the first time, Alcaraz is without longtime coach and mentor Juan Carlos Ferrero.
It’s a significant shift, both emotionally and strategically. But if the 22-year-old Spaniard finds his groove early, he’s got a shot at history: completing the career Grand Slam.
That would make him the youngest man ever to do so. And make no mistake-he knows exactly what’s on the line.
Last year, Alcaraz said he'd rather win his first Australian Open than defend his French Open and US Open titles. That tells you everything you need to know about his mindset heading into Melbourne.
Swiatek’s Career Slam Quest
Carlos Alcaraz isn’t the only one eyeing a career Grand Slam. Iga Swiatek is in the same boat, with six majors to her name and just one missing piece: the Australian Open.
Swiatek’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. She added Wimbledon to her résumé last year-a surface many thought didn’t suit her-and solidified her status as a generational talent. But Melbourne has eluded her so far, and her early-season form suggests the road won't be easy this time around either.
Losses to Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic at the United Cup exposed some early-season rust. Swiatek herself is trying to tune out the noise around the career Slam talk, saying she’s focused more on daily improvement than chasing milestones. Still, the pressure is there, whether she acknowledges it or not.
She’s part of a dominant trio-alongside Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka-that has claimed nine of the last 12 majors. But it’s Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and two-time Australian Open champion, who enters as the favorite.
Sabalenka warmed up for Melbourne by winning in Brisbane, but she’s not reading too much into that. “It’s tennis-anything can happen,” she said.
That unpredictability is part of what makes her so dangerous. Her power game can overwhelm opponents, but she’s also learned to manage her emotions better in big moments.
That growth could be the difference as she looks to defend her title.
Raducanu’s Road Back
Emma Raducanu’s name still carries weight, even five seasons removed from her stunning US Open breakthrough. But now, the 23-year-old is facing the next big challenge of her career: proving she belongs among the game’s elite over the long haul.
She’s back in the top 30, which means she’ll be seeded in Melbourne-a big step forward. But the draw hasn’t done her any favors. A potential third-round clash with Sabalenka looms, and that’s a tough ask for anyone, let alone someone still working their way back into consistent top-tier form.
Raducanu’s 2025 season showed signs of life, and her game looks more complete than it has in years. The question is whether she can close the gap against the top-tier players and string together wins in a high-pressure environment. We’re about to find out.
She leads a seven-player British contingent in the singles draws, stepping into the spotlight following Jack Draper’s injury withdrawal. Cameron Norrie, Jacob Fearnley, Francesca Jones, Sonay Kartal, Katie Boulter, and Arthur Fery-who earned his spot through qualifying-will all be looking to make their mark in Melbourne.
Djokovic vs. Time
No one owns Melbourne quite like Novak Djokovic. Ten of his 24 Grand Slam titles have come on Rod Laver Arena, and if he’s going to become the all-time Slam leader with 25, this is where it’s most likely to happen.
But let’s be honest-time is no longer on his side. At 38, Djokovic is still technically brilliant and mentally unshakeable, but the physical toll of five-set battles against the likes of Alcaraz and Sinner is becoming more apparent.
That said, writing off Djokovic has never been a good idea. Last season, he reached the semifinals at all four majors-a testament to his consistency and championship pedigree.
He may not dominate physically the way he once did, but he’s still the most tactically sound player in the field. If he’s healthy and focused, he’s still a threat to win it all.
The 'Happy Slam' Vibe, With a Few Caveats
The Australian Open has long branded itself as the “Happy Slam,” and it’s easy to see why. Melbourne’s summer sun, festival-like atmosphere, and vibrant city backdrop make it a fan favorite. From top-tier dining to live music and celebrity DJs, the tournament has gone all-in on the entertainment experience.
Players rave about the behind-the-scenes facilities, and tournament director Craig Tiley has made it clear that the goal is to elevate the Aussie Open’s status to match Wimbledon, Roland Garros, and the US Open in both prestige and commercial appeal.
But not everything is sunshine and smooth sailing. Some top players have voiced disappointment over the revenue split, even with a record prize pool of £55 million on the table.
And then there are the recurring concerns around player welfare-especially with Melbourne’s history of brutal heat and late-night finishes. Those issues could come back into focus over the next two weeks.
What’s Next?
The stage is set. The storylines are rich. Whether it’s a young star chasing history, a legend fending off Father Time, or a returning name trying to prove they still belong, the Australian Open is once again the perfect launchpad for a year of high-stakes tennis.
Let the Happy Slam begin.