The 2026 Australian Open, the year's first Grand Slam, served up a blockbuster opening day on Sunday 18th January, headlined by top seeds Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka. The historic day also featured the remarkable return of seven-time major champion Venus Williams at the age of 45.
Star-Studded Opening Day Headliners
Carlos Alcaraz began his quest for a maiden Australian Open title and a chance to become the youngest man ever to complete the career Grand Slam. The Spanish world number one opened his campaign on Rod Laver Arena against Australian hopeful Adam Walton.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, aiming to reclaim the crown she lost to Madison Keys in the 2025 final, also took to Rod Laver. The Belarusian, who has reached the last three finals in Melbourne, faced a first-round test against world number 188 Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah of France.
In a moment of sporting history, Venus Williams became the oldest woman to compete in the Australian Open main draw after accepting a wildcard. The American legend, playing her first match at the tournament in five years, met Serbia's Olga Danilovic on John Cain Arena.
British Interest and Key Matches
Britain's Emma Raducanu, seeded 28th and on a potential collision course with Sabalenka in the later rounds, launched her tournament against Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew on Margaret Court Arena.
In a significant British upset, qualifier Arthur Fery secured a stunning straight-sets victory over the 20th seed, Italy's Flavio Cobolli, on John Cain Arena. The scoreline read 7-6 (1), 6-4, 6-1 in the Briton's favour.
Another British hope, Cameron Norrie (26th seed), was scheduled to play France's Benjamin Bonzi in the afternoon session on 1573 Arena.
Australian Open Day One Order of Play (All times GMT)
The day's action across Melbourne Park's showcourts unfolded as follows:
Rod Laver Arena
From 00:30: Jasmine Paolini (7) def. Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-1, 6-2.
[3] Alexander Zverev (GER) vs. Gabriel Diallo (CAN)
From 08:00: [1] Aryna Sabalenka vs. Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah (FRA)
[1] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) vs. Adam Walton (AUS)
Margaret Court Arena
From 00:30: Maria Sakkari def. Leolia Jeanjean 6-4, 6-2.
[18] Francisco Cerúndolo (ARG) vs. Zhizhen Zhang (CHN)
From 08:00: [10] Alexander Bublik (KAZ) vs. Jenson Brooksby (USA)
Mananchaya Sawangkaew (THA) vs. [28] Emma Raducanu (GBR)
John Cain Arena
From 00:00: Arthur Fery (GBR) def. [20] Flavio Cobolli (ITA) 7-6 (1), 6-4, 6-1.
Not Before 02:30: [12] Elina Svitolina (UKR) vs. Cristina Bucsa (ESP)
Not Before 06:00: [29] Frances Tiafoe (USA) vs. Jason Kubler (AUS)
Olga Danilovic (SRB) vs. Venus Williams (USA)
Full Tournament Schedule
The 2026 Australian Open schedule for the coming fortnight is as follows:
Sunday 18 January: 16 x men’s singles and 16 x women’s singles | first round
Monday 19 January: 28 x men’s singles and 28 x women’s singles | first round
Tuesday 20 January: 20 x men’s singles and 20 x women’s singles | first round; 8 x men’s doubles and 8 x women’s doubles | first round
Wednesday 21 January: 16 x men’s singles and 16 x women’s singles | second round; 12 x men’s doubles and 12 x women’s doubles | first round
Thursday 22 January: 16 x men’s singles and 16 x women’s singles | second round; 12 x men’s doubles and 12 x women’s doubles | first round
Friday 23 January: 8 x men’s singles and 8 x women’s singles | third round; 8 x men’s doubles and 8 x women’s doubles | second round; 6 x mixed doubles | first round
Saturday 24 January: 8 x men’s singles and 8 x women’s singles | third round; 8 x men’s doubles and 8 x women’s doubles | second round; 6 x mixed doubles | first round; 16 x boys’ singles and 16 x girls’ singles | first round
Sunday 25 January: 4 x men’s singles and 4 x women’s singles | fourth round; 4 x men’s doubles and 4 x women’s doubles | third round; 4 x mixed doubles | second round; 16 x boys’ singles and 16 x girls’ singles | first round
Monday 26 January: 4 x men’s singles and 4 x women’s singles | fourth round; 4 x men’s doubles and 4 x women’s doubles | third round; 4 x mixed doubles | second round; 8 x boys’ singles and 8 x girls’ singles | second round
Tuesday 27 January: 2 x men’s singles and 2 x women’s singles | Quarter-finals; 2 x men’s doubles and 2 x women’s doubles | Quarter-finals; 4 x mixed doubles | Quarter-finals; 8 x men’s and 8 x women’s wheelchair singles | first round; 8 x boys’ singles and 2 x girls’ singles | second round
Wednesday 28 January: 2 x men’s singles and 2 x women’s singles | Quarter-finals; 2 x men’s doubles and 2 x women’s doubles | Quarter-finals; 2 x mixed doubles | Semi-finals; 4 x men’s and 4 x women’s wheelchair singles | Quarter-finals; 4 x boys’ singles and 2 x girls’ singles | third round
Thursday 29 January: 2 x women’s singles | Semi-finals; 2 x men’s doubles and 2 x women’s doubles | Semi-finals; 2 x men’s and 2 x women’s wheelchair singles | Semi-finals; 4 x boys’ singles and 2 x girls’ singles | third round
Friday 30 January: 2 x men’s singles | Semi-finals; Mixed doubles final; Men’s wheelchair doubles final; Women’s wheelchair doubles final; 4 x boys’ singles and 2 x girls’ singles | quarter-finals
Saturday 31 January: Women’s singles final; Men’s doubles final; Women’s doubles final; Men’s wheelchair singles final; Women’s wheelchair singles final; 2 x boys’ singles and 2 x girls’ singles | semi-finals
Sunday 1 February: Men’s singles final; Boys’ singles final; Girls’ singles final
