Australian Open 2026: Draws, Dates, History & All You Need To Know

Carlos Alcaraz Garfia, born May 5, 2003, in El Palmar, Murcia, Spain, is a leading Spanish professional tennis player currently ranked world No. 1 in men's singles by the ATP. He began his professional career in 2018 at age 14 and quickly gained recognition for his aggressive playing style and speed. Alcaraz broke into the ATP top 100 in May 2021 and ended that year ranked No. 32, following a quarterfinal appearance at the US Open[1][2]. In 2022, at 19 years old, Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open, becoming the youngest male player in the Open Era to reach the No. 1 ATP ranking. That year, he also secured three ATP Masters 1000 titles, including victories over top-ranked players Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. He finished 2022 as the youngest year-end No. 1 in ATP history and was honored as the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year for his achievements[1][3]. Alcaraz has since won a total of six Grand Slam titles: two French Opens (2024, 2025), two Wimbledons (2023, 2024), and two US Opens (2022, 2025). He claimed his second major at Wimbledon in 2023 by defeating Novak Djokovic in the final and successfully defended the Wimbledon and French Open titles in 2024. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Alcaraz earned a silver medal in singles tennis[1][2]. Coached by former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz is widely regarded as one of the most promising talents of the post-Big Three era, alongside rival Jannik Sinner. His career continues to be marked by rapid progress, key victories against top-ranked opponents, and a prominent position in men's tennis at just 22 years old[1][2][4].

Jannik Sinner is an Italian professional tennis player born on August 16, 2001, in San Candido, Italy. He began playing tennis at age seven and turned professional in 2018. Despite a relatively modest junior career, Sinner rapidly rose through the ranks, becoming known for his powerful groundstrokes and composure on court. He is multilingual, speaking Italian, German, and English, and was nicknamed "The Fox" in childhood[1][2][7]. Sinner has achieved significant milestones in his career, including reaching the world No. 1 ranking in men's singles in June 2024, becoming the first Italian to do so. As of 2025, he has won 21 ATP singles titles, including four Grand Slam tournaments: two Australian Open titles (2024 and 2025), the 2024 US Open, and the 2025 Wimbledon Championships. He also secured the 2024 ATP Finals title and has been instrumental in Italy’s Davis Cup victories in 2023 and 2024[1][3][4]. His breakthrough on the ATP Tour included winning the 2019 Next Generation ATP Finals and becoming ATP Newcomer of the Year. In 2023, he won his first Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open and defeated Novak Djokovic for the first time at the ATP Finals in Turin, later helping Italy win its first Davis Cup since 1976. Sinner’s 2024 season was marked by major successes, including defeating Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final and winning multiple Masters 1000 events. In 2025, after a brief suspension for an accidental doping violation, he defended his Australian Open title, finished runner-up at the French Open, and won Wimbledon, defeating his career rival Carlos Alcaraz in the final[1][2][3]. Sinner grew up in the South Tyrol region of northern Italy and was also a talented skier in his youth. He moved south at age 13 to join a tennis academy, dedicating himself fully to tennis. His family is involved in hospitality in their hometown, and he credits his parents for his strong work ethic[6].

Novak Djokovic is a Serbian professional tennis player widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in the history of the sport. Born in Belgrade in 1987, Djokovic turned professional in 2003 and quickly rose through the ranks to join the elite group of men’s tennis alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Djokovic is known for his exceptional athleticism, mental resilience, and all-court versatility, which have allowed him to dominate across all surfaces and conditions. Djokovic holds the all-time record for men’s Grand Slam singles titles with 24 major championships, surpassing both Federer and Nadal[1][3]. His Grand Slam victories include a record 10 Australian Open titles, 7 Wimbledon championships, 4 US Opens, and 3 French Open crowns[2]. He is the only male player to have won each of the four majors at least three times, achieving the rare “triple Career Grand Slam”[1]. Djokovic has also been ranked world No. 1 for a record total of 428 weeks across 13 different years, and has finished as the year-end No. 1 a record eight times[1]. In addition to his Grand Slam success, Djokovic has claimed a record 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles, 7 ATP Finals championships, and over 100 career ATP singles titles overall[3][4]. He is one of the few players to complete the Career Golden Slam, having won all four majors, the ATP Finals, and an Olympic gold medal—a feat he achieved by winning singles gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics[2]. Djokovic has also been a key figure in Serbia’s Davis Cup team, helping his country win the title in 2010[2]. Djokovic’s list of professional honors includes eight ITF World Champion awards and eight ATP Player of the Year titles, reflecting his sustained excellence over more than two decades[1][2]. Off the court, he has been recognized for his humanitarian efforts, receiving the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award in 2012[1][2]. As of late 2025, Djokovic remains a central figure in men’s tennis, continuing to compete at the highest level and adding to his historic legacy. His recent Olympic gold medal in Paris further cemented his status as one of the sport’s most accomplished and versatile champions[2]. Djokovic’s career is marked not only by his records and trophies but also by his influence in elevating the standards of professional tennis worldwide.

Aryna Sabalenka is a Belarusian professional tennis player, born on May 5, 1998, in Minsk, Belarus[1][2][6]. She is currently recognized as one of the most dominant figures in women’s tennis, having reached the pinnacle of the sport as the WTA World No. 1 and securing her place among the elite players of her generation[1][3][5]. Sabalenka’s tennis journey began at age six, and she started formal training at a local academy by eight, quickly rising through the junior ranks before turning professional in 2015[6][7]. Known for her aggressive baseline play, powerful serve, and relentless competitive spirit, she has become famous for overpowering opponents with her groundstrokes and mental toughness[1][6]. Sabalenka stands 6 feet tall and plays right-handed[4]. Her breakthrough on the WTA Tour came with a rapid ascent in the early 2020s. She first reached the world No. 1 ranking in singles in 2023, a year in which she also won her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, defeating Elena Rybakina in the final[1][3]. She followed this with another Australian Open victory in 2024 and claimed her third major at the US Open in 2024, then successfully defended that title in 2025 for her fourth Grand Slam triumph[1][5]. In addition to her Grand Slam successes, Sabalenka has won multiple WTA 1000 titles, including Madrid, Miami, and Cincinnati, and has consistently reached the latter stages of major tournaments[2][3][5]. As of late 2025, Sabalenka remains a fixture at the top of the women’s game, having held the year-end No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career[3][5]. Her 2025 season has been particularly strong, with four titles, including two WTA 1000 events and a successful US Open defense, further cementing her status as a leading force in tennis[5]. Off the court, Sabalenka is known for her engaging personality and has become a prominent ambassador for the sport. Sabalenka’s rivalry with players like Iga Świątek and Coco Gauff has been a highlight of recent WTA seasons, contributing to some of the most competitive and high-profile matches in women’s tennis[1]. Her consistency at the highest level, combined with her explosive playing style, ensures she remains a central figure in the sport’s current landscape.