By Roger Childs
Into the final week
I won my first grand slam here and I’ve always enjoyed being back. I’ve always had so much support and the reason why I was still playing is because of you (the fans), because of the love of the game, the emotion you give me. I’m sad to leave, but it’s been an amazing journey. –Swiss legend Stan Wawrinka after his third round loss
It gets hot in Melbourne at this time of year
The Melbourne Park tournament is the first of the four 2026 tennis grand slams. The superbly spacious tennis complex is conveniently located near the CBD and close to the railway terminal at Flinders. This year’s event is already breaking attendance records.
The majority of players are from Britain, Europe and North America, and are pleased to be away from the northern winter. However it can be very hot in Victoria in January and on-court temperatures can rise into the late 30s Celsius (yesterday was 42C, but today is predicted to be 23C). 25 years ago one reading on an outer court was in the early 50s! There were concerns that players could die in the heat. Fortunately they now have rules about giving players extra breaks when the temperatures rise. Furthermore in three stadia the roof can be brought across in high temperatures or rain.
All the leading players in the world both men and women are competing, and moving into the fourth round all the top six seeds in both singles, were still in contention. However, last year’s surprise women’s winner American Madison Keys has been beaten in this round.
Men’s Singles – tons of talent
Last year’s winner second seed Italian Jannik Sinner is one of this year’s favourites and he could meet number one seed Carlos Alcaraz from Spain in the final. 2025 finalist Sacha Zverev will be competitive as will fourth seed 38 year old Novak Djkovic. The Serb has won 24 grand slams including a record 10 at Melbourne Park. Australian hopes rest with sixth seed Alex de Minaur.
Nevertheless, most pundits are picking Sinner and Alcaraz to contest the final.
Women’s Singles – plenty of challengers
Beaten finalist last year Aryna Sabalenka (pictured), is number one seed in 2026. She is a demonstrative and noisy player, and is from Belarus which backs Russia in the Ukraine war. Some players have refused to shake her hand and think she should be banned from playing in the grand slam even though she has come out against the war.
The number two seed is Polish player Iga Swiątek and, although she has four grand slam titles to her name, she has never won the Australian Open. Fifth seed Elena Rybakina from Kazhakstan who was the beaten finalist in 2023, will also be competitive as will American Coco Gauff, who is ranked third this year.
Stan the man
Wawrinka has won three grand slams including Melbourne in 2014. At the age of 40 he was first man to make the third round in over 50 years. His opponent was ninth seed Taylor Fritz who eventually won 7-6 2-6 6-4 6-4. Not surprisingly the Swiss veteran had huge crowd support and they admired his superb fitness, accurate placements and possibly the greatest single-handed backhand of all time. At the end of the match he received a tumultuous send off.
Entertainment guaranteed
As the top eight in each of the men’s and women’s prepare for the quarter finals the fans will be watching the best and can expect top quality tennis.