The Australian Open is set to begin, marking the start of the 2026 tennis season. All eyes are on the rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have dominated the ATP Tour with eight consecutive major titles. Sinner, aiming for a third consecutive Melbourne title, benefits from his metronomic baseline game, while Alcaraz, despite struggling in Melbourne, is poised to make a comeback without his long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. If successful, Alcaraz will become the youngest player to complete the career Grand Slam.

Iga Swiatek is another player eyeing the career Grand Slam, with the Australian Open being her missing piece. Although she won Wimbledon last year, her recent losses to Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic signal a need for improvement. Swiatek is focused on her game rather than the pressure of achieving the career Slam. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka, the current world number one, is the pre-tournament favorite, having warmed up with a win in Brisbane.

Emma Raducanu, the teenage sensation who won the US Open, faces high expectations as she enters her fifth season. She needs to prove herself against top players, with a potential match against Sabalenka looming in the third round. Raducanu is one of seven British players in the draw, highlighting the growing presence of British tennis. Novak Djokovic, seeking his 25th Grand Slam title, faces the challenge of maintaining his physical prowess against younger stars like Sinner and Alcaraz. His remarkable consistency, reaching the semi-finals of all four majors last season, underscores his continued relevance.

The Australian Open is known as the 'Happy Slam,' with its vibrant atmosphere and party-like setting. However, concerns over player welfare and revenue sharing persist. With a record prize pot of £55m, the tournament aims to close the gap with other majors in terms of status and commercial appeal. As the event kicks off, the focus will be on whether the younger stars can dethrone the veterans and set new benchmarks in tennis history.