Grand Slam Tennis is back and the first Grand Slam of the year is here. The Australian Open 2026 will start from 18th January 2026 in Melbourne Australia. There are a number of contenders that will be in the fray in both the Men’s and Women’s singles. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcatraz will be the ones to watch out for in the Men’s.
Let’s look at the Contenders to win at the Australian Open 2026
Men’s Singles
Jannik Sinner
The defending champion from 2024 and 2025 will be looking for a three-peat in Australia. Jannik Sinner has put the doping controversy behind him and he will look to Start the new year with a big win. The hard courts are a favourite for Jannik as he has a great serve and his groundstrokes are impeccable. He will face challenges from 2 of his best rivals. He is also the world number 2 in Men’s Singles.
Carlos Alcaraz
The World number 1 is a player that has lost both of the previous Australian Open tournaments to Jannik. These are the 2 players that have raised the game of tennis after the Big 3 propelled it to heights never seen. The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam that has eluded him in his career. He is the most complete player as he has won on grass, clay and the hard courts at the US Open. Carlos Alcaraz will look to complete the career Grand Slam this year.
Novak Djokovic
At 38 years old, Novak Djokovic is competing with the best in the world and players who are a dozen years younger than him. He reached the semi final of all 4 Grand Slams of 2025. He is the number 4 seed in the world. He has won 10 Australian Open titles which is the most in history. Novak Djokovic is chasing his 25th Grand Slam. This might be one of the last opportunities in Australia.
Women’s Singles
Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka is the number 1 player in the world. She lost in the final of the 2025 edition to Madison Keys. Aryna Sabalenka is the most powerful player in women’s tennis so that gives her an advantage. She has reached the final 3 times in the last 4 years. She faced personal setbacks and that has made her stronger. Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff , and Madison Keys are the players that can come in her way.
Iga Swiatek
The world number 2 has also not won an Australian Open title. She plays her best tennis on the clay courts. She is the most consistent player in the world. Iga Swiatek won the 2025 Wimbledon title which was a big moment for her. She will look to stop the momentum that Aryna Sabalenka has been on. The women’s singles will be a more competitive tournament than the Men.
Madison Keys
The defending champion from 2025 will come into this tournament with an idea as to how to win it all. She will look to go back to back. Madison Keys is one of those players that has the fastest serve in the women’s game. She is someone who never gives up and she frustrates her opponents. Aryna Sabalenka has been known to get frustrated easily when things do not go her way. Players like Coco Gauff, Emma Raducanu can cause upsets.
