Happy Tuesday! The tennis world eagerly awaits the Australian Open kicking off January 18th in Melbourne. For now, we've previewed both the men's and women's sides to prepare you for two weeks of unmissable hard-court tennis.

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Carlos Alcaraz enters Melbourne hunting the Career Grand Slam as the world No. 1 and top seed. The 22-year-old Spaniard split all four 2025 majors with Jannik Sinner and arrives with new coach Samuel Lopez after his shocking split from Juan Carlos Ferrero. The Australian Open remains the only major missing from his trophy case, and completing the Career Grand Slam would make him the youngest man in history to achieve the feat.

Jannik Sinner also aims to join exclusive company as the two-time defending champion is chasing a historic three-peat. The Italian would become only the second man in the Open Era to win three consecutive Australian Open titles alongside Novak Djokovic, who accomplished the feat twice (2011-2013 and 2019-2021). Sinner's 58-6 record in 2025, ATP Finals title, and dominant hard-court form make him our pick to complete the three-peat despite the challenge from his Spanish rival.

The field features dangerous challengers beyond the Big Two with 38-year-old Novak Djokovic (10-time champion) chasing a record-breaking 25th major after a title-less 2025 Grand Slam campaign. Alexander Zverev returns as the 2025 runner-up still seeking his first Grand Slam breakthrough, while home favorite Alex de Minaur carries Australia's hopes at a career-high No. 5 seeding. American stars Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz look to end their country's 23-year major drought dating back to Andy Roddick's 2003 US Open.

Aryna Sabalenka enters as the overwhelming favorite to reclaim the title she lost to Madison Keys in last year's heartbreaking final. The world No. 1 and two-time Melbourne champion has reached the final in each of the last three years and arrives fresh off her second consecutive US Open title. Her dominant hard-court record and mental fortitude make her the clear frontrunner, especially after defeating Keys in their recent Brisbane quarterfinal rematch.

Madison Keys returns as the defending champion looking to replicate last year's stunning run that saw her defeat both world No. 2 Iga Swiatek and top-ranked Sabalenka. The American's victory made her the first player in 16 years to defeat the top two seeds at a Grand Slam, and she became the fourth-oldest first-time major champion in history. Keys's massive serve and fearless power-hitting proved she can defeat anyone when firing on all cylinders.

Iga Swiatek headlines a talented chasing pack seeking her first Australian Open title to complete a Career Grand Slam after conquering Wimbledon in 2025. The Polish star has struggled in Melbourne compared to other majors, never reaching a final here. Amanda Anisimova, the 2025 Most Improved Player who reached back-to-back Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, joins former champion Naomi Osaka, rising Canadian star Victoria Mboko, teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva, and American Coco Gauff in a deep field of dangerous contenders.

Poland finally claims the United Cup title after finishing as runner-up in both 2024 and 2025. Mixed doubles pair Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski defeated Switzerland's Belinda Bencic and Jakub Paul 6-4, 6-3 in the deciding match after earlier singles saw Bencic upset Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz defeat Stan Wawrinka in three sets.

Venus Williams returns to competitive tennis at 45 making her season debut at the ASB Classic in Auckland. The seven-time Grand Slam champion pushed fifth seed Magda Linette to a deciding set before falling 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. Williams accepted a wild card into the Australian Open, where she'll become the oldest woman to compete in a main-draw singles match during the modern era.

Alexander Bublik breaks into the ATP Top 10 for the first time after winning the Hong Kong Open, defeating Lorenzo Musetti 7-6(2), 6-3 in the final. The 29-year-old becomes the first player representing Kazakhstan ever to reach the Top 10, capping an incredible stretch where he's won five titles in the last seven months.

Aryna Sabalenka captures her second consecutive Brisbane title defeating Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 6-3 without dropping a set all week. The world No. 1 has now won 38 of her last 40 matches in Australia and five of the last seven tournaments Down Under, positioning herself as the overwhelming favorite heading into the Australian Open.

Elina Svitolina wins her 19th career WTA title in Auckland, defeating Wang Xinyu 6-3, 7-6(8) in the final. The Ukrainian opened 2026 with a perfect 5-0 record after taking a mental health break at the end of 2025, with husband Gael Monfils supporting her courtside at the same tournament where he won the men's title last year.

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