Day 1 of the Australian Open 2026 delivered big wins for Alcaraz and Sabalenka and an emotional farewell for Venus Williams as the season began with drama, heat, and historic moments in Melbourne. 

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

World number one Carlos Alcaraz opens against home hope Adam Walton in his bid for a career Grand Slam and first Melbourne Park title. The Spanish superstar is on the same side of the draw as last year's beaten finalist Alexander Zverev and is scheduled to meet him in the last four.

Australian Open 2026: Djokovic-Sinner clash projected for semis, Alcaraz to start against home favourite Walton

After main draw starts on Jan 21, the men's semis will be played on Jan 30 with the final set to take place on February 1 while the women's semis are scheduled to be played on Jan 29 with final set for Jan 31.

Australian Open 2026: Alcaraz, Sinner and Sabalenka, Swiatek top seed players

Former world No.1 believes Carlos Alcaraz needs a coach with a contrasting playing style, not Andy Murray, to sharpen his weaker areas and add new depth as he enters a crucial phase of his career.


Not Andy Murray, Wilander wants THIS tennis stalwart to coach Carlos Alcaraz

Alexander Zverev is spearheading Germany at the mixed-teams United Cup to open his 2026 campaign before heading to Melbourne Park and another crack at an elusive Grand Slam title.

Alexander Zverev admits 'a lot of catching up' to reel in Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner

Carlos Alcaraz is searching for a new coach for 2026. Explore 6 potential candidates, from Rafael Nadal’s to Andy Murray’s mentors, who could guide the young tennis star to future success.


From Rafael Nadal to Andy Murray: 6 potential candidates to coach Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz has won six Grand Slams among his 24 tour-level titles under the guidance of fellow Spaniard Ferrero, including this year's French and US Opens.

Tennis: World number one Carlos Alcaraz splits up with long-time coach Ferrero

Both the players finished with two grand slams each, Alcaraz won the French Open and the US Open, while Sinner won the Australian Open and the Wimbledon. And to compensate the ATP Finals won by Sinner, Alcaraz will be finishing the year as world no. 1 in ranking.

WION REWIND 2025: The Year of Alcaraz vs Sinner - Top Moments

Carlos Alcaraz cruised past Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-2, 6-4 in Turin to set up the title match with Sinner all tennis fans wanted to see after a series of thrilling battles between the pair this year.

ATP Finals: Carlos Alcaraz secures showdown clash with Jannik Sinner

Carlos Alcaraz, who has won 70 matches so far this season, could lose his semi-final on Saturday but will now still finish 2025 top of the pile, even if Sinner retains his Finals title on home turf.

ATP Finals: Carlos Alcaraz beats Jannik Sinner to end year as world number one after defeating Lorenzo Musetti

Currently, Sinner is playing in the ATP Finals and has entered last four stage. He is the reigning world number one player in the rankings and is expected to finish the year at the top.

Novak Djokovic questions 'lack of transparency' in Jannik Sinner doping case



This season has belonged to them. Every time both players entered a tournament, one of them lifted the trophy. From the Grand Slams to the ATP 1000s, Sinner and Alcaraz have been rewriting tennis dominance in their own style

ATP Finals 2025: Can anyone stop Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in Turin?

Alcaraz has never won the Paris Masters in five attempts and now faces losing his place atop the rankings should rival Jannik Sinner win the tournament in the French capital.

World number one Carlos Alcaraz stunned in Paris Masters by Britain’s Norrie

Djokovic, who is 38, finished fourth in the tournament. He now aims to recapture his fitness before taking part in the last two tournaments of the year and has no plans of retiring.

Djokovic plans to retire? 38-year-old says 'want to see how far I can go' after Six Kings Slam injury

In the challenge 10 amateur players will face 22 professionals to have a shot at winning one million dollars (Australian) or around 660,000 US dollars. To win the prize money, the amateurs will have to score just one point against the professional.

What is Australian Open 'One Point Challenge': Alcaraz to face amateur players for a million dollars

Alcaraz defeated America's Taylor Fritz in straight sets, winning 6-4, 6-4. This victory gave the 22-year-old his eighth title of the season, adding to his already impressive year. 

Carlos Alcaraz defeats Taylor Fritz to lift Japan Open title, claims eighth silverware of the season

The world number one and US Open champion Alcaraz will face his Laver Cup conqueror, Taylor Fritz, in Tuesday's decider of the Japan Open.

Carlos Alcaraz beats Ruud in Tokyo to emulate Nadal with 10th season final

The Spaniard was left sweating on his fitness, but he showed no evidence of discomfort as he returned to the court to beat world number 45 Bergs in front of an adoring Japanese crowd.

Alcaraz beats ankle injury and Belgium's Zizou Bergs to reach Japan Open quarters

The Spaniard had his left ankle heavily strapped during a medical timeout before gingerly returning.

Carlos Alcaraz survives injury scare, rain delay to win Tokyo opener

Alcaraz now has six Grand Slam titles, with only the Australian Open missing from his trophy cabinet. With this win, many are asking: ‘Is Carlos Alcaraz already a legend in the sport?’ Let’s take a look at some of the key stats that define Alcaraz as a modern-day tennis legend.

Carlos Alcaraz wins sixth Grand Slam at 22 – Stats reveal how he is ahead Federer and Djokovic

It's a great feeling... it’s still a dream come true," Alcaraz said after lifting his second US Open trophy

US Open 2025: Carlos Alcaraz reclaims world No.1 with win over Jannik Sinner as Trump visit delays final

From Jannik Sinner to Novak Djokovic, here is a look at players to reach all Grand Slam finals in the same year. Roger Federer also features on the honourable list having done so in the 2009 season where he also won his only French Open title. 

From Jannik Sinner to Novak Djokovic, players to reach all major slam finals in same year (last five)

For the third straight major final, it will be Carlos Alcaraz against Jannik Sinner after the Spaniard got the better of Novak Djokovic in the semis. In another one-sided contest, Alcaraz beat Djokovic 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 to book his place in the final.

US Open 2025: Jannik Sinner edges Felix Auger-Aliassime in semis, books another final date with Carlos Alcaraz


From Carlos Alcaraz to Aryna Sabalenka, meet the top five paid tennis athletes in 2025. The list also features big names like Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic and Yannik Sinner.

5 Tennis players with highest earnings in 2025: Djokovic not at the top, check who is

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

Australian Open 2026: Djokovic-Sinner clash projected for semis

Australian Open 2026: Alcaraz, Sinner and Sabalenka, Swiatek top seed players

Not Andy Murray, Wilander wants THIS tennis stalwart to coach Carlos Alcaraz

Zverev admits 'a lot of catching up' to reel in Alcaraz, Sinner

From Rafael Nadal to Andy Murray: 6 potential candidates to coach Carlos Alcaraz

Tennis: World number one Carlos Alcaraz splits up with long-time coach Ferrero

WION REWIND 2025: The Year of Alcaraz vs Sinner - Top Moments

ATP Finals: Carlos Alcaraz secures showdown clash with Jannik Sinner

ATP Finals: Carlos Alcaraz beats Jannik Sinner to end year as World No.1

Novak Djokovic questions 'lack of transparency' in Jannik Sinner doping case

ATP Finals 2025: Can anyone stop Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in Turin?

World number one Carlos Alcaraz stunned in Paris Masters by Britain’s Norrie

Djokovic plans to retire? 38-year-old says 'want to see how far I can go' after Six Kings Slam injury

Alcaraz to face amateur players ahead of AO 2026 in 'One Point Challenge'

Carlos Alcaraz defeats Taylor Fritz to lift Japan Open 2025

Carlos Alcaraz beats Ruud in Tokyo to emulate Nadal with 10th season final

Alcaraz beats ankle injury and Belgium's Bergs to reach Japan Open quarters

Carlos Alcaraz survives injury scare, rain delay to win Tokyo opener

Carlos Alcaraz is already ahead of Djokovic and Federer at 22

US Open 2025: Carlos Alcaraz reclaims world No.1 with win over Jannik Sinner

Players to reach all major slam finals in same year (last five) ft Jannik Sinner

US Open: Sinner edges Auger-Aliassime, books another final date with Alcaraz

5 Tennis players with highest earnings in 2025