1 Alcaraz career grand slam
Carlos Alcaraz’s victory at the Australian Open wasn’t just the storyline of the tournament, it was the storyline itself. The Spaniard became the youngest professional Grand Slam player in tennis history and the first player under the age of 23 to win seven Grand Slam singles titles.
2 Rybakina returns to glory
Four years after her first Grand Slam victory at Wimbledon, Elena Rybakina has finally reclaimed her throne. She calmly displayed strength and composure in a brutal draw, reminding the world that she is the most dangerous player on the hard courts when her serve is flowing.
3 Djokovic’s latest epic
Even at 38 years old, Novak Djokovic has proven that he is the ultimate “final boss” in Melbourne. His five-set victory over Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals was a masterclass in psychological warfare and physical endurance, showing the world that the “changing of the guard” still had to go through him first.
4 A bit crazy
With star power, random mayhem and innovative celebrations, One Point Slam is making waves in Melbourne. In the end, one amateur surpassed all the legends in the draw, creating a captivating moment for all who witnessed it.
5 Sabalenka; oh so close
Aryna Sabalenka’s quest for a third Australian title collapsed in a thrilling three-set final. Despite the defeat, her solid performance in Melbourne – reaching four consecutive finals – cemented her status as the queen of the modern Happy Slam.
6 American women are thriving
Four American women have reached the quarterfinals — Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula and Eva Jovic — the most American women to reach the quarterfinals at the Australian Open since five in 2001 (Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport, Monica Seles, Serena Williams and Venus Williams).
7 Are we animals?
Iga Swiatek’s comments that day were about players’ lack of privacy due to the ubiquitous security cameras in the hallways of Rod Laver Arena, where content is being accessed by major networks without players’ consent. “The question is, are we tennis players or are we zoo animals who are being observed even when they poop?” she said.
8 men half drama
We lack drama, with zero five-set matches played at Rod Laver Arena in 12 days of tennis. Then, like magic, we had the men’s semi-finals on an epic day filled with nearly ten hours of hair-raising moments. Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic’s stunning semi-final victory over Jannik Sinner will now forever be part of Australian Open legend.
9 Stanmore turns back the clock
At 40, Stan Wawrinka reminds us why they call him “Stan”. His journey to the third round, fueled by a trademark Thunder backhand, was a nostalgic gift to fans, and he had an emotional beer-sharing ceremony with Craig Tiley after the final game.
10 Monfils left a lasting image
Gael Monfils bid an emotional “farewell” to Melbourne Park, leaving the pitch for the last time to a standing ovation that lasted for several minutes. His final forehand slide winner was the perfect microcosm of a career built on equal parts athleticism and entertainment.
11 Eala makes a scene with fans
Even with a painful three-set loss, Alexandra Eala powered the Philippines to victory in their first-round match against American Alycia Parks; it was a cultural event. The “Ella mania” sweeping the world proves that Southeast Asia is a sleeping giant in the world of tennis fans. The best is yet to come.
12 The rise of Mboko
Canadian teen Victoria Mboko officially announced herself to Melbourne fans after pushing Aryna Sabalenka to the brink in a fiery second-set tiebreaker in the fourth round. Her combination of raw power and fearlessness suggests she won’t be a “prospect” for long – she’s a contender.
13 Jovic arrives
Eva Jovic’s run to the quarterfinals is a breakthrough that American fans didn’t expect – at least not this soon. At just 18 years old, the Torrance, Calif. native’s tactical maturity and backcourt stability rival that of young Martina Hingis, making her a potential breakout star in the 2026 season.
14 Tian proves he was no fluke
Tian’s entry into the quarter-finals was not an accident of the draw. Tian proved that last year’s breakout success on tour was a perfect fit for the world’s biggest stage by destroying veterans with his surgical left-hand precision. His fourth-round victory over Daniil Medvedev was a display of tactical clarity. His intelligence, variety and strength were on full display when he once again defeated the former world number one.
15 Heat adds drama
Melbourne’s sweltering heat has halted several games, with players wrapped in ice towels and some games turning into survival of the fittest situations. Carlos Alcaraz nearly ended his fight in the semifinals, while Jannik Sinner barely survived his own scare in the third round against Eliot Spizzirri. These moments heighten the drama and serve as a reminder that in Melbourne, the opponent across the net is only half the battle.
16 Rafa and Roger are back
Seeing Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer inside Rod Laver Arena, even if not together, adds a nice pinch-me element to all fans. Nadal’s presence in the final was like a royal blessing for Alcaraz, who at age 22 achieved the career Grand Slam that Nadal had to wait several years to achieve.
No. 17 Batenkova’s breakthrough
Czech teenager Nikola Bartunkova was an unknown in the qualifying round, beating 10th seed Belinda Bencic all the way to the third round. Now the 19-year-old is officially a WTA player to watch.
18 Cirstea drama stain farewell
The Australian Open final ended in controversy after Sorana Cirstea got into a heated argument with Naomi Osaka after their second round match. It’s a tough exit for a player who has dedicated two decades to the Tour, but it certainly ensures she exits with her own voice.
19 Sabalenka defeats Queen
Before the final, Sabalenka was unbeatable in tiebreaks, winning four crucial matches in two weeks. She now has an Open Era record of 20 consecutive tiebreaks, surpassing the record held by Novak Djokovic (19). Where to park, no one knows.
20 Svitolina breaks new ground
Elina Svitolina’s victory over Coco Gauff was perhaps the most dominant Grand Slam quarterfinal of her career. Reaching the semi-finals with such a draw proves that the era of “mom power” is still in full effect.
twenty one Back to school with Michael Cheng
The Columbia University star skipped a few weeks of study to defeat Sebastian Korda in a thrilling five-set match over winter break that shocked the college tennis world. Zheng’s advance to the third round is a huge victory for the NCAA pros.
twenty two Record attendance
More than 1.3 million fans attended AO in 2026, breaking all previous audience records. During the ‘opening week’ and main event period, Melbourne Park effectively becomes a city within a city.
twenty three Spitz has spirit
Eliot Spizzirri’s match against Jannik Sinner at Rod Laver Arena was a “star is born” moment. That four-set loss and his first-round win over Brazilian star Joao Fonseca showed he has what it takes to break into the top 50.
twenty four mixed doubles defense
Olivia Gadecki and John Peers defended their mixed doubles title, bringing cheers of “Aussies! Aussies! Aussies!” to local fans. The moment they long for. It’s a rare and impressive feat of consecutive dominance in a discipline known for its volatility.
25 Sinner’s winning streak ends
Jannik Sinner’s aura of invincibility in Melbourne has finally taken a blow. His loss to Djokovic ended his 19-match winning streak at the Happy Slam and was a reminder that even the world’s calmest hitters can be outclassed by lower-seeded players. In this case, he happens to have 10 Australian Open titles.
26 Art in Osaka
Naomi Osaka’s elaborate walk-out ensemble, designed by Robert Wun and inspired by her 2-year-old daughter Shai’s love of jellyfish, included a long veil, flowy pants and an umbrella, which no matter how you look at it, just don’t deny that it made the game more fun.
