Australian Open 2026: A Historic Tournament in Melbourne

The Australian Open 2026, held from Sunday, January 18 to Sunday, February 1, promises to be one of the most exciting tennis events of the year. With daily start times at 7pm ET (-1 day), 12am GMT, and 11am AEDT, fans around the world will have multiple opportunities to catch the action.

For those looking to watch the tournament live, several platforms offer free streams. In Australia, Channel 9 and its streaming service 9Now provide comprehensive coverage of the event. For viewers outside Australia, using a virtual private network (VPN) like NordVPN can help bypass geo-blockers and access the same content as local fans.

The Men’s Semifinals: A Thrilling Display of Skill

Day 13 of the Australian Open was nothing short of spectacular, with two five-set matches that captivated fans and redefined the men’s draw. Carlos Alcaraz faced Alexander Zverev in a grueling semi-final that lasted five hours and 27 minutes. Alcaraz, who was battling cramps and took a medical timeout, ultimately emerged victorious with a 7-5 fifth set win. This victory brought him closer to becoming the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.

The second semi-final saw Novak Djokovic deliver an even more dramatic performance, defeating Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller that concluded at 1:33 am local time. Djokovic, who was down two sets in his quarter-final against Lorenzo Musetti, fought back to win 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. His resilience and determination were on full display, and he now aims to secure a record 25th Grand Slam title in the final.

Women’s Final: A Showdown of Power and Precision

In the women’s singles, Elena Rybakina delivered a stunning performance to defeat top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Despite leading 3-0 in the final set, Sabalenka was unable to maintain her momentum as Rybakina unleashed a powerful serve and aggressive play to take the match 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. This victory marked a significant milestone for Rybakina, showcasing her ability to perform under pressure.

The Men’s Final: A Clash of Titans

The men’s final on Sunday is set to be a historic encounter, with Alcaraz and Djokovic both vying for their place in tennis history. Alcaraz is aiming to become the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam, while Djokovic seeks to add a record 25th major title to his name. Their head-to-head record stands at 6-5 in favor of Djokovic, but recent encounters have been closely contested. Alcaraz won the US Open semifinal last year, while Djokovic triumphed in the last four stage of this tournament and the Paris Olympics final in 2024. Both players have previously defeated each other in Grand Slam finals, making this showdown a classic.

How to Watch the Australian Open 2026

In Australia

Tennis fans in Australia can enjoy free live streams via 9Now. Those traveling abroad can use NordVPN to access the same content as if they were back home.

In the United States

The Australian Open 2026 is available on ESPN and the Tennis Channel. New users can take advantage of a free 7-day trial, after which subscriptions are priced at $109.99 per year or $9.99 per month. ESPN Select also broadcasts the entire tournament, with options for standalone subscriptions or bundled packages. Streaming services like Sling TV and Fubo also offer access to the event.

In the UK

TNT Sports, available through Discovery+, will broadcast the tournament. Viewers can add TNT Sports to their Sky, Virgin Media, or EE TV package, or opt for a Discovery+ plan starting at £30.99 per month. Using a VPN like NordVPN allows international viewers to access the same content.

In Canada

Canadian fans can watch the tournament on TSN, with TSN Plus offering a monthly subscription at CA$8 or an annual rate of CA$80. International viewers can use a VPN to access the content.

In New Zealand

Sky Sport NZ holds the rights to the tournament, with options for satellite TV or the Sky Sport Now subscription service. Subscribers can choose from daily or monthly plans. NordVPN helps international viewers access their home streaming service.

Across Europe, Middle East, Africa, India, and Asia

Eurosport and Discovery+ provide coverage across Europe, while beIN Sports covers the event in the Middle East and Africa. In India, Sony Sports Network and in Japan, WOWOW are the primary broadcasters. A list of all global broadcasters is available from the tournament organizers.

Australian Open 2026 Seeds

Men’s Seeds
1. Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)
2. Jannik Sinner (ITA)
3. Alexander Zverev (GER)
4. Novak Djokovic (SRB)
5. Lorenzo Musetti (ITA)
6. Alex de Minaur (ESP)
7. Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)
8. Ben Shelton (USA)
9. Taylor Fritz (USA)
10. Alexander Bublik (KAZ)
… and so on.

Women’s Seeds
1. Aryna Sabalenka
2. Iga Świątek (POL)
3. Coco Gauff (USA)
4. Amanda Anisimova (USA)
5. Elena Rybakina (KAZ)
6. Jessica Pegula (USA)
7. Jasmine Paolini (ITA)
8. Mirra Andreeva
9. Madison Keys (USA)
10. Belinda Bencic (SUI)
… and so on.

Tournament Preview

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are the favorites for the men’s title, with Alcaraz seeking his first Grand Slam and Sinner aiming for a third consecutive victory. On the women’s side, Sabalenka and Iga Świątek are expected to dominate, with Sabalenka having an impressive record in Melbourne.

Recent Champions

Men’s Champions
– 2025: Jannik Sinner (ITA)
– 2024: Jannik Sinner (ITA)
– 2023: Novak Djokovic (SRB)
– … and so on.

Women’s Champions
– 2025: Madison Keys (USA)
– 2024: Aryna Sabalenka
– 2023: Aryna Sabalenka
– … and so on.

Schedule and Start Times

The tournament begins with qualifying from January 12-15, followed by rounds 1 through 4 from January 18-26. The women’s semifinals are on January 29, with the men’s semifinals on January 30. The women’s final is on January 31, and the men’s final on February 1.

Daily sessions start in the afternoon at 7pm ET (-1 day) and continue into the evening from 3am ET. Play on show courts begins at 8pm ET.

Conclusion

The Australian Open 2026 promises to be a thrilling event filled with high-stakes matches, historic moments, and unforgettable performances. Whether you’re a die-hard tennis fan or just looking for some exciting sports action, there’s something for everyone. Make sure to tune in and witness the magic of the “Happy Slam” in Melbourne.