Australian Open 2026, Day 1: Alcaraz and Sabalenka shine as Venus Williams makes emotional exit in Melbourne

The 2026 tennis season kicked off with the Australian Open, bringing excitement, heat, and big names to Melbourne on day 1 (Jan 18). Fans filled the stadiums despite hot conditions, and the opening matches delivered drama, intensity, and strong performances from the top players. World number one Carlos Alcaraz and women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka both started their title campaigns with straight-sets wins, while several others battled through tough first-round tests. The day also saw emotional moments, history being made, and a touching farewell for tennis legend Venus Williams, who returned to Melbourne.

Carlos Alcaraz began his journey to complete a career Grand Slam with a confident win over Australian wildcard Adam Walton. The Spaniard won 6-3, 7-6, 6-2 in a match that tested his patience, especially in the second set. Playing his first competitive match in nine weeks, Alcaraz looked sharp and focused, using his speed, power, and control to dominate key moments. He said tough first-round matches help him find rhythm early in a tournament. The 22-year-old now moves on with confidence as he continues his chase for his maiden Melbourne title.

Aryna Sabalenka had a slow start but quickly found her rhythm to win her opening match 6-4, 6-1 against French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah. The Belarusian made a few errors early but soon showed her class with powerful shots and calm movement. She admitted feeling extra pressure with legends watching from the stands, yet handled it well. Sabalenka now looks ready to chase her third Australian Open title in four years with strong belief and hunger.

Venus Williams created history by becoming the oldest woman to play at the Australian Open, but her fairytale ended in the first round. The 45-year-old fought bravely against Serbia’s Olga Danilovic in a thrilling match that lasted over two hours. Venus won the first set but eventually lost 6-7, 6-3, 6-4. She showed flashes of her greatness, powerful serves, and fighting spirit. The crowd gave her a warm reception, celebrating her legacy and impact on tennis.