The 2026 Australian Open officially begins today at Melbourne Park, marking the first Grand Slam of the tennis season. The tournament features an exciting draw with defending champions Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys looking to defend their titles against a field of world-class competitors.
The men's draw has created significant buzz as top seed Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic have been placed in the same half of the bracket, setting up a potential semifinal clash between the two titans of the sport. Sinner, who is aiming for his third consecutive Australian Open title, has been in dominant form and enters the tournament as the favorite.
Djokovic, now 38 years old, continues to defy age and remains a serious threat at every major championship. His pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title keeps him motivated, and the Australian Open has historically been one of his most successful tournaments with 10 titles to his name.
On the women's side, defending champion Madison Keys faces a challenging path as she looks to retain her crown. The American captured her maiden Grand Slam title here last year in dramatic fashion and will be eager to prove that her breakthrough was no fluke.
Day 1 of the tournament features several intriguing first-round matchups across both the men's and women's draws. The action gets underway at Rod Laver Arena with packed crowds expected throughout the fortnight. Weather conditions in Melbourne are expected to be favorable, with temperatures in the mid-20s Celsius providing ideal playing conditions.
Tennis fans around the world will be watching closely as the 2026 season begins with what promises to be an unforgettable Australian Open. The tournament runs through February 1st, with the men's and women's singles finals scheduled for the final weekend.