The 2026 Australian Open commenced with spectacular intensity on Sunday, featuring top-ranked contenders Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka leading the charge on the opening day. Alcaraz, currently world number one, enters Melbourne Park with a historic opportunity—to complete a career Grand Slam by claiming the only major title absent from his impressive collection. The Spanish phenom, already a champion at Wimbledon, the US Open, and Roland Garros, could surpass compatriot Rafael Nadal as the youngest male player to achieve this milestone if victorious.
Alcaraz faces Australian hopeful Adam Walton, ranked 79th, in his opening match on Rod Laver Arena. Meanwhile, reigning women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka seeks her third Australian Open title in four years. Fresh off a dominant victory at the Brisbane International, Sabalenka appears in formidable form as she prepares to confront French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah.
The day’s lineup also includes last year’s finalist Alexander Zverev, who begins his campaign against Canada’s Gabriel Diallo. In a remarkable display of longevity, 45-year-old Venus Williams returns to Melbourne for the first time since 2021, becoming the oldest woman ever to compete in the tournament. Despite recent struggles and a current ranking of 576, the seven-time Grand Slam champion remains undaunted as she faces Serbia’s Olga Danilovic.
Other notable competitors include men’s tenth seed Alexander Bublik and women’s twelfth seed Elina Svitolina, both arriving with momentum from recent warm-up tournament victories. The opening day sets the stage for what promises to be a thrilling fortnight of elite tennis competition.