At a Glance
- Singles play begins Sunday at 11 a.m. local Melbourne time (7 p.m. Saturday EST) with Rod Laver Arena action starting 30 minutes later
- Defending champions Madison Keys and Jannik Sinner return after capturing the 2025 singles trophies
- Record prize money of 111.5 million Australian dollars ($75 million) will be awarded, a 16% increase from last year
- Venus Williams, 45, becomes the oldest woman to compete in an Australian Open main draw after receiving a wild-card entry
Why it matters: The first Grand Slam of the year sets the tone for the tennis season and offers the sport’s largest-ever purse Down Under.
The 2026 Australian Open begins Sunday at Melbourne Park, marking the start of the tennis calendar’s first Grand Slam tournament with record prize money, defending champions returning to center court, and a historic appearance by one of the sport’s legends.
Opening Day Schedule and Broadcast Details
Singles action kicks off at 11 a.m. local Melbourne time (7 p.m. Saturday EST) across the grounds, with Rod Laver Arena’s first match scheduled for 11:30 a.m. (7:30 p.m. Saturday EST).
Where to watch:
- U.S. viewers can catch matches on ESPN and Tennis Channel
- International broadcast listings are available through tournament organizers
The opening Sunday slate features several marquee matchups across Melbourne Park’s three main showcourts:
Rod Laver Arena schedule:
- Jasmine Paolini (seeded 7th) vs. Aliaksandra Sasnovich – opening match
- Alexander Zverev (men’s No. 3) vs. Gabriel Diallo
- Night session: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah
- Carlos Alcaraz vs. Adam Walton – closing the night session
Margaret Court Arena finale: Emma Raducanu vs. Mananchaya Sawangkaew
John Cain Arena finale: Venus Williams vs. Olga Danilovic
Defending Champions Return
Madison Keys captured her first Grand Slam trophy at the 2025 Australian Open, defeating then-No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in a three-set thriller. The American’s breakthrough victory marked her arrival among tennis’s elite.
Jannik Sinner successfully defended his 2024 title by defeating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the final. The Italian’s dominant performance solidified his position atop the men’s game entering the new season.
Tournament Structure and Format
The Australian Open unfolds across 14 days on outdoor hard courts at Melbourne Park, situated along the Yarra River near downtown Melbourne. Three showcourts feature retractable roofs: Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, and John Cain Arena.
Match formats:
- Women’s singles: best-of-three sets with first-to-10, win-by-two tiebreaker at 6-all in the third set
- Men’s singles: best-of-five sets with tiebreaker at 6-all in the fifth set
Night sessions feature prime-time matches, following the same scheduling model as the U.S. Open and French Open. Tournament timing coincides with Australia’s summer school holidays during the last two weeks of January.
2026 Singles Schedule
| Date | Round |
|---|---|
| Jan. 18-19-20 | First Round (Women and Men) |
| Jan. 21-22 | Second Round (Women and Men) |
| Jan. 23-24 | Third Round (Women and Men) |
| Jan. 25-26 | Fourth Round (Women and Men) |
| Jan. 27-28 | Quarterfinals (Women and Men) |
| Jan. 29 | Women’s Semifinals |
| Jan. 30 | Men’s Semifinals |
| Jan. 31 | Women’s Final |
| Feb. 1 | Men’s Final |
Record Prize Money Pool
Tournament organizers announced a 16% increase in total prize money, reaching a record 111.5 million Australian dollars ($75 million). This represents a significant jump from the 96.5 million Australian dollars awarded in 2025.
Championship payouts:
- Singles champions (men’s and women’s): 4.15 million Australian dollars ($2.8 million) each
- This represents a 19% increase from the previous year’s winner’s share
New Fan Experience Features
Australian Open 2026 introduces an enhanced “opening week” experience, allowing public access to Melbourne Park from the qualifying tournament’s start. The initiative includes:
- Live music performances every night at Grand Slam Oval
- Open practice sessions in Rod Laver Arena featuring top players
- Tennis Australia reported over 175,000 fans attended Monday through Friday of opening week
Wednesday’s pre-tournament activities featured an extraordinary moment when a local amateur player defeated defending champion Jannik Sinner in the 1 Point Slam exhibition, earning 1 million Australian dollars in prize money.
Historic Comeback Stories
Venus Williams makes history as the oldest woman to compete in an Australian Open main draw at 45 years old. She surpasses the previous record held by Japan’s Kimiko Date, who competed at age 44 in 2015. Williams received a wild-card entry into the tournament.
Roger Federer returns to Melbourne Park in a non-competitive capacity, participating in Saturday night’s opening ceremony. The 20-time Grand Slam champion practiced with Casper Ruud at Rod Laver Arena on Friday, marking his first appearance at the venue since 2020.
Top Seeds Enter Action
Aryna Sabalenka enters as the top-seeded woman after reclaiming the No. 1 ranking. The Belarusian star seeks redemption following her 2025 final defeat to Keys.
Carlos Alcaraz claims the top men’s seeding as he pursues his second Australian Open title. The Spanish phenom’s aggressive style and court coverage make him the player to beat in Melbourne.
The tournament draw was conducted Thursday, setting the stage for potential blockbuster matchups throughout the fortnight.
Key Takeaways
The 2026 Australian Open promises unprecedented excitement with record prize money, historic participation milestones, and enhanced fan engagement. Defending champions Keys and Sinner face heightened expectations while top seeds Sabalenka and Alcaraz aim to convert their rankings into Grand Slam glory. Williams’ milestone appearance and Federer’s ceremonial return add emotional resonance to the sport’s traditional season opener.
