Australian Open LIVE 2026: Aussie Walton faces Alcaraz hurdle; Sabalenka, Zverev in action

Here’s a look at the opening day action.

In the evening session, Australian Adam Walton faces a tough assignment against world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz.

Take a look at the schedule below.

For decades tennis was a blank canvas for fashion, with Cloud Dancer whites the only option available for stylish serves.

That’s no longer the case.

They might not be able to lift a racquet but the selfie game of preened poses in crop tops, low-waisted skirts and clinging dresses is stronger than the scent of Glossier You at Melbourne Park.

Well-positioned content creators such as Morgan Riddle, the partner of US player Taylor Fritz, and Paige Lorenze, fiancee of US player Tommy Paul, have forged an aesthetic for sexy singles looking for hot doubles partners.

Most elements of the Wannabe WAG look are easy to achieve, with the choice of hairstyle flipping from high ponytail to Charlie’s Angel’s blowout, and dresses plucked from accessible labels such as Meshki, I am Delilah and Dissh.

What sets Wannabes apart from real WAGS is the shoes.

With chauffeurs and assistants, WAGS are willing to risk blisters in high heels while regular mortals ground their looks with mesh ballet flats or sandals, suitable for rushing to the bathroom mid-match and reapplying lip gloss.

If you’re heading to the tennis, don’t forget the sunscreen and a hat. The maximum forecast temperature is 29 degrees, but on the main courts, it can feel a lot warmer.

Luckily for tennis fans, the weather is expected to be sunny and warm most of the week.

Next Saturday looks like a scorcher – a maximum of 35 degrees, with a chance of a late shower.

In case you missed the news, Alex de Minaur’s Australian Open run is a tiny bit easier after his first-round opponent Matteo Berrettini withdrew from the tournament due to illness.

American Mackenzie McDonald takes Berrettini’s place in the draw as a lucky loser after going down in final-round qualifying.

McDonald will face De Minaur tomorrow afternoon on Rod Laver Arena.

De Minaur won both his previous matches against 30-year-old McDonald, who was ranked in the top 40 three years ago but is now at No.113.

Berrettini’s misfortune is a stroke of luck for de Minaur. He is projected to meet Frances Tiafoe in the round of 32 before potential match-ups with the 10th-ranked Alexander Bublik in the fourth round, and then world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals.

Click here for more information on De Minaur’s Australian Open prospects.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley says Tennis Australia has had to pause ground pass sales to day one of the tournament due to intense demand.

“Attendees will still be able to purchase stadium tickets today,” Tiley just told reporters at Melbourne Park.

“We are going to have an unbelievable 14 days. We’ve already had an unbelievable seven days.”

Earlier this morning, Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos congratulated Tennis Australia on running a tournament which is iconically Melbourne.

“We are literally in the best sporting precinct and entertainment precinct … in the world,” Dimopoulos said.

“218,000 people attended the event in Opening Week. We are on the cusp of the best sporting event in the world … it’s not just a tennis tournament.”

It’s all happening at Melbourne Park today, as the 2026 Australian Open main draw gets under way from 11am.

There are many big international stars in action, such as Jasmine Paolini, Aryna Sabalenka and Alexander Zverev, but there are also several Australians, many of whom will be hunting an upset on court today.

First up, it’s Talia Gibson on KIA Arena from 11am, and she’ll be taking on world No.62 Anna Blinkova. These two have never met on the court, but Blinkova is the favourite today.

Australian Tristain Schoolkate follows Gibson on KIA Arena, where he’ll play 32nd seed Corentin Moutet.

Qualifier Jason Kubler is third on John Cain Arena today, and he plays 29th seed Frances Tiafoe.

Tonight, poor Adam Walton has the almost-impossible task of facing off with world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz on Rod Laver Arena.

If you’re out at Melbourne Park, you might spot police carrying long-arm semi-automatic rifles.

The new measures are part of bolstered security after the Bondi Beach terror attack in December.

At Melbourne Park, the spotlight will also be on unruly or disruptive behaviour at the opening tennis major of 2026 after several notable incidents last year, including scenes when 10-time champion Novak Djokovic called out a drunken heckler in an on-court interview.

Russian and Belarusian flags are still banned due to the war in Ukraine and fans are only permitted to display flags of competing players.

Click here to read all you need to know about the rules and regulations regarding security, protests and fan behaviour.

In case you missed it, the Australian Open last night had its inaugural opening ceremony, with tennis royalty Roger Federer at the centre.

For the most part, the choices felt safe, yet significant: Rod Laver tossing the coin; beloved, unproblematic Australians Pat Rafter, Ashleigh Barty and Lleyton Hewitt, four-time winner Agassi and a tried and tested music act in Crowded House.

But everyone knew all these names were just garnishes: The main course was Roger Federer.

Tennis’ unbeaten king of hearts was this year’s ace in the hole.

His last time in Melbourne as a competitor was 2020, and six years’ absence has only made Australia’s hearts grow fonder.

During the afternoon people filed in with his profile and initials on their shirts, or else took photos in front of the AO signs on the concourse holding “I heart Roger” cardboard signs.

Read Alexander Darling’s full story here.

Good morning and welcome to day one of our Australian Open live blog.

I’m Hannah Kennelly and I’ll be guiding you through the day’s action, so please stay with us as the first grand slam of 2026 begins at Melbourne Park.

The first matches are due to start at 11am AEDT.

Enjoy the tennis to come.

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