All articles tagged with #australian open 2026
Carlos Alcaraz completed the career Grand Slam by beating Novak Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final (2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5) at age 22, after a dramatic semifinal against Alexander Zverev that featured cramps and a long back-and-forth battle; the victory solidifies his status as tennis’s rising force and keeps Djokovic and Jannik Sinner as major threats in the era.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Australian Open final defeat to Elena Rybakina underscored a familiar paradox: unparalleled consistency in reaching major finals (five of the last six slam finals, 12 semi‑finals in 13 slams) yet recurring nerves in decisive moments, as she ceded a 3‑0 third‑set lead and five straight games. At 27, with four majors, a long spell as world No. 1 and 22 titles, she faces a career crossroads and is addressing mental‑toughness work with a sports psychologist while vowing to chase another final opportunity.
Novak Djokovic, 38, says he still believes he can win a 25th Grand Slam after losing the Australian Open final to Carlos Alcaraz, who completed the Career Grand Slam. Djokovic had edged Jannik Sinner in a five-set semi but couldn’t finish in Melbourne. He notes that lowering expectations helped reduce pressure, keeps him motivated to contend at majors, and that one or two moments can swing momentum in big matches.
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in Melbourne to win the Australian Open, his 7th Grand Slam and 15th Big Title, widening his Big Titles lead over Jannik Sinner and becoming the youngest player to complete the Career Grand Slam.
TechRadar maps global ways to watch the Australian Open 2026 men’s final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, detailing free Australian coverage on 9Now, US broadcasts ESPN and the Tennis Channel (with trials), UK coverage via TNT Sports/Discovery+, Canada’s TSN, Australia’s Stan/9Now options, New Zealand’s Sky Sport Now, and European coverage on Eurosport, plus VPN tips (e.g., NordVPN) to bypass geo‑blockers and access your home stream, including notes on pricing and trials.
Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka in a 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 comeback to win the 2026 Australian Open, her second major title, solidifying her status as a top player and highlighting a rising, high-stakes rivalry.
Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka to win the Australian Open 2026, neutralising Sabalenka’s power with precise shot-making and clutch serving in a tense final; the title caps a stellar hard-court run that included wins over world No. 2 Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula, and makes her the first player since Naomi Osaka (2019) to beat three top-10 opponents on the knockout path from the quarter-finals to the title.
Novak Djokovic, at 38, battled back from a set down twice to defeat reigning AO champion Jannik Sinner in a dramatic Australian Open 2026 semifinal, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, earning his 11th Australian Open final and setting up a title clash with Carlos Alcaraz, who beat Alexander Zverev earlier; Sinner’s AO reign ends after five straight Grand Slam finals.
Novak Djokovic, 38, became the oldest Open-era Australian Open finalist after defeating Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller (3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4) in four hours and nine minutes, saving 16 of 18 break points. He will contest an 11th AO title against Carlos Alcaraz, who earlier beat Alexander Zverev in the other semifinal.
Naomi Osaka withdrew from the Australian Open just before facing qualifier Maddison Inglis, citing an abdominal injury linked to body changes from recent pregnancy. She said warming up worsened the pain and she'll undergo further tests, noting her body has changed since becoming a mother. The withdrawal puts Inglis into a fourth-round matchup with Iga Swiatek; Osaka has a history of abdominal issues and emphasized she felt physically healthy aside from the issue and wanted to protect her long-term health.
Kazakhstani player Yulia Putintseva defeated Zeynep Sonmez 6-3, 6-7(3-7), 6-3 to reach the Australian Open fourth round, then cupped her ear and performed a provocative hip shake near her bench as the Turkish-supported crowd booed, embracing the hostile atmosphere and adding to her reputation as tennis’s unapologetic “bad girl” after a past incident.
Naomi Osaka withdrew from the Australian Open 2026 third round due to a left abdominal injury, advancing Maddison Inglis to the fourth round; Osaka, a former world No. 1 with a history of abdominal issues, said she would seek medical tests and consult doctors before returning to the court.
Naomi Osaka headlined day three of the 2026 Australian Open in a jellyfish‑inspired couture outfit by Robert Wun and Nike, featuring turquoise/sea‑foam layers and butterfly accents on an umbrella and hat that reference a 2021 moment; she said the look was inspired by storytime with her daughter Shai, and while some fans debated it online, she won her first‑round match against Antonia Ruzic.
Naomi Osaka kicked off her Australian Open campaign with a jellyfish-inspired ocean-blue outfit designed with Nike and London stylist Robert Wun, dedicating it to her daughter Shai. She beat Antonia Ruzic 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena to reach round two, with commentators praising both the statement look and her performance.
Iga Swiatek began her bid to complete a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open with a tight 7-6(7-5) 6-3 win over Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue, showing a wobbly serve and 34 unforced errors but advancing to face Marie Bouzkova in the second round as fellow top seeds Gauff, Anisimova and Pegula also won their openers.