FAQ
The starts on Sunday (January 18, 2026). Australian Open the first Grand Slamtournament of the year. We answer the most important questions about the two weeks in Melbourne.
When and where is the game played?
The 114th edition begins on January 18th and will be on Sundays for the third time. Qualification takes place before that, from January 12th to 15th. The final match will be played on February 1st when it will be decided who will win the men’s title. The women’s decision is made one day earlier.
The tennis days in Melbourne start at 11 a.m. local time, which is 1 a.m. in Germany. The night session begins in Melbourne at 9 a.m. German time, always with a men’s and a women’s match.
It is played in Melbourne Park on 24 hard courts. The heart of it is Rod Laver Arenawhich offers space for 14,820 spectators. The Center Court is exactly like that John Cain Arena and the Margaret Court Arena equipped with a sunroof.
Who won last year?
Jannik Sinner gave German number one Alexander Zverev no chance in the men’s final and clearly won in three sets 6:3, 7:6 and 6:3. For Zverev it remained the absolute highlight of the tennis year 2025.
Alexander Zverev only has one hand on the trophy. He lost the final of the 2025 Australia Open against Jannik Sinner.
Last year, Aryna Sabalenka went into the women’s tournament as the big favorite. The Belarusian surprisingly had to admit defeat to the American Madison Keys in three sets in the final. Keys celebrated the greatest success of her career.
What surface is the game played on?
Until 1988, the Australian Open, like the Wimbledon tournament, took place on grass. After that, the hard court became established in Melbourne, so there are no longer two grass Grand Slams, but two hard Grand Slams. The US Open is also held on this surface.
What is the weather like in Melbourne?
The weather is typical for Australia, all four seasons in one day are possible. The first predictions also point to a changeable first week of the tournament. Extreme heat is apparently not expected, rather temperatures slightly above a pleasant 20 degrees.
Which German professionals are playing the qualification?
Yannick Hanfmann has already moved into the main draw as the top seeded player in the men’s qualification without playing his own game. Justin Engel was eliminated on Monday (January 12th). For the women, Tamara Korpatsch, currently number 123 in the WTA ranking, and Anna-Lena Friedsam, currently number 153 in the WTA ranking, are playing for a place in the main draw.
What are the Germans’ chances?
Alexander Zverev is once again entering the tournament as the clear best with the best chances. Will he make it to the final again this time? Rather questionable. The gap between the two top stars Sinner and Alcaraz has grown larger over the last twelve months and the field behind them has become closer together. Semifinals must be the goal. After that everything is possible anyway.
Things aren’t looking good for Jan-Lennard Struff and Daniel Altmaier, Altmaier has already suffered two first-round defeats in 2026, and Struff is currently out of qualifying in Auckland. Yannik Hanfmann benefited from another player’s withdrawal due to injury and became the fourth German to make it into the main draw.
Eva Lys is the highest bet for women. Her star rose at the Australian Open last year when she was drawn for the main draw as a “lucky loser” and then sensationally made it into the fourth round.
The Hamburg native, who has now become Germany’s number one, is set to go that far this year too. Ten years ago, Angelique Kerber was the last German to win the tournament in Australia.
Angelique Kerber wins the Australia Open in 2016
Who are the favorites?
For the men, it’s simple: There’s no getting around Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner when it comes to who will reach the final. “Sincaraz” have already shared all the Grand Slams in 2024 and 2025.
It remains to be seen how Alcaraz will deal with the separation from his long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who has no longer been the coach of the Spanish top player since December.
In the women’s field, Aryna Sabalenka will do everything she can to make up for her faux pas from last year with the loss to Madison Keys. Sabalenka won the tournament in 2023 and 2024.
How much is the prize money?
This year, record prize money will be paid out in Melbourne again. The equivalent of around 64 million euros will be distributed in total, and the winners of the men’s and women’s competitions will each receive 2.58 million euros – an increase of almost 20 percent compared to the previous year.
A crew member paints the marker during preparations for the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne
Who is broadcasting the Australian Open?
The sports show reports daily from the Australian Open with results, live tickers, game analyses, portraits and interviews. The live rights are held by Eurosport.