The Australian Open has once again brought together the world’s strongest tennis players on the courts of Melbourne Park.
As reported by İdman.Biz, the tournament is traditionally loved not only by devoted tennis fans. Australians passionately support their home players throughout nearly three weeks of competition.
Melbourne is rightly considered the sporting capital of Australia. The tournament is often referred to as the “Happy Slam” and is the most attended of all Grand Slam events. Last year, around 1.2 million spectators visited Melbourne Park.
These days, the qualifying rounds are taking place and will conclude on January 15. They feature players outside the world’s top 100 who did not receive a wild card. To reach the main draw, players must win three matches, with a total of 16 places available in both the men’s and women’s singles draws.
The official draw for the Australian Open 2026 will take place on Thursday, January 15, even before the qualification matches are completed. The event will be hosted by well-known Australian tennis players Jelena Dokic and Todd Woodbridge.
As for wild cards, they have already been allocated. The final three spots in the men’s draw went to Jordan Thompson, Christopher O’Connell and three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka.
The tournament’s prize pool has increased by 16 percent this year. The winners of the singles events will each receive 4.15 million dollars.
Among the favorites, world number one Aryna Sabalenka returns to Melbourne after losing last year’s final to Madison Keys. The Belarusian arrives in excellent form after recently winning the Brisbane International and is aiming for her third Australian Open title.
Other leading contenders include Coco Gauff, who defeated Sabalenka at Roland Garros, world number two Iga Swiatek, the reigning Wimbledon champion, as well as Amanda Anisimova, a Wimbledon finalist and one of the standout players of last season.
In the men’s draw, the main rivalry of the year will continue between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. In 2025, Sinner won the Australian Open and Wimbledon, while Alcaraz claimed titles at Roland Garros and the US Open.
Novak Djokovic will also take part in the tournament despite recently withdrawing from the Adelaide International. The Serbian, a ten-time Australian Open champion, said he is fully focused on preparing for the Melbourne event.
Australian fans will pay special attention to Alex de Minaur, currently ranked seventh in the world. At the same time, Nick Kyrgios has officially confirmed that he will not compete in the singles draw.
In short, the Australian Open is gaining momentum, and soon the very best will take to the courts of Melbourne.
Zaki Feizullayev
