Australian Open 2026: Start Date and Schedule
The 2026 Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year, will be held at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. The main draw begins on Sunday, January 18, 2026, and runs through Sunday, February 1, 2026, with the women’s singles final on January 31 and the men’s on February 1. Qualifying rounds start on January 12, and the main draw ceremony is scheduled for January 15 at 2:30 p.m. AEDT (around 3:30 a.m. GMT or 10:30 p.m. EST on January 14). Gates open at 10 a.m. AEDT for day sessions and 5 p.m. AEDT for evenings, with matches starting around 11 a.m. AEDT (7 p.m. EST the previous day).
Favorites to Win
As of mid-January 2026, betting odds and expert predictions favor defending champions and top seeds, but the fields are deep with contenders. Here’s a breakdown of the leading favorites for the men’s and women’s singles, based on current odds from major sportsbooks like FanDuel, BetMGM, and Ladbrokes (odds subject to change as the tournament approaches).
Men’s Singles Favorites
Jannik Sinner, the two-time defending champion and world No. 2 seed, enters as the clear favorite after his recent US Open win and strong hard-court form. Carlos Alcaraz (No. 1 seed) is a close second, with Novak Djokovic (No. 4 seed) still a threat despite his age.
| Player | Odds to Win | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jannik Sinner (ITA) | -125 to -140 | Defending champ (won last two AOs); strong hard-court record; recent form includes beating Alcaraz in majors. |
| Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) | +160 to +175 | World No. 1; won last three major finals vs. Sinner; seeking first AO title. |
| Novak Djokovic (SRB) | +1000 to +1400 | 10-time AO winner; No. 4 seed; experience makes him a perennial threat despite recent form dips. |
| Alexander Zverev (GER) | +2500 | No. 3 seed; reached 2025 AO final; consistent hard-court performer. |
| Daniil Medvedev (RUS) | +2500 | Former finalist; strong on hard courts but inconsistent lately. |
Dark horses include Lorenzo Musetti (No. 5 seed), Alex de Minaur (home favorite, No. 6 seed), and Taylor Fritz.
Women’s Singles Favorites
Aryna Sabalenka, the No. 1 seed and two-time defending finalist (won in 2023-2024, lost in 2025), is the overwhelming favorite on her preferred hard courts. Iga Swiatek (No. 2 seed) and Coco Gauff (No. 3 seed) are strong challengers.
| Player | Odds to Win | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) | +175 to +225 | Two-time AO winner; dominant hard-court game; top seed and pre-tournament favorite. |
| Iga Swiatek (POL) | +450 to +480 | World No. 2; clay specialist but improving on hard; seeking first AO title. |
| Coco Gauff (USA) | +600 to +850 | No. 3 seed; young talent with strong baseline game; reached AO semis in 2024. |
| Elena Rybakina (KAZ) | +750 to +900 | Powerful server; 2023 AO finalist; consistent major performer. |
| Amanda Anisimova (USA) | +1000 | No. 4 seed; resurgent form; dark horse with strong hard-court potential. |
Other contenders include Naomi Osaka (wildcard, predicted by some as a dark horse), Qinwen Zheng, and Emma Raducanu. Note that predictions can shift based on qualifying results, injuries, or early-round upsets—Sinner and Sabalenka are seen as the safest bets due to their AO history.
