The first Grand Slam of the 2026 tennis season is upon us, with the Australian Open set to commence in Melbourne. Defending champions Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys return to the hard courts, but all eyes will be on a host of players with historic milestones within their grasp.
Historic Pursuits and Rivalries in Melbourne
Jannik Sinner arrives with the chance to etch his name alongside Novak Djokovic in the record books. The Italian star will attempt to become only the second man in the Open Era to win three consecutive Australian Open singles titles, a feat last achieved by Djokovic himself.
On the women's side, world number one Aryna Sabalenka will be fiercely determined to reclaim the title she lost in last year's final, where Madison Keys stunningly ended her bid for a hat-trick of victories.
Perhaps the most compelling narrative involves the quest for a career Grand Slam. Both Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek arrive in Melbourne needing only this title to complete the full set of all four major championships. Should the 22-year-old Alcaraz triumph, he would become the youngest man in history to achieve this monumental career milestone.
Furthermore, after facing off in the finals of the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open last season, Melbourne remains the only major stage where a final showdown between Alcaraz and Sinner has yet to materialise. The tennis world will be watching to see if this burgeoning rivalry reaches its peak down under.
How to Watch the Australian Open in the UK and US
For viewers in the United Kingdom, exclusive live coverage of the tournament will be provided by TNT Sports. Matches can also be streamed live via the Discovery+ platform.
Fans in the United States can follow all the action across ESPN and the Tennis Channel.
Schedule and Record-Breaking Prize Fund
The main draw of the tournament gets underway on Sunday 18 January 2026. The championship will culminate over the finals weekend on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February.
This year's event boasts the largest purse in its history. The total prize fund has seen a significant 16 per cent increase to a staggering £55.4 million. Consequently, the two singles champions will each pocket £2.1 million, a notable rise from the £1.7 million won by Sinner and Keys in 2025.
With historic achievements on the line, fierce rivalries poised to ignite, and unprecedented financial rewards, the 2026 Australian Open promises to be an unmissable spectacle, setting the tone for an exhilarating year in tennis.
