The summer heat is beating down in Melbourne, and the Ashes fire is about to conclude. But there’s another piece of good news for sports fanatics! The Australian Open 2026, often known as “Happy Slam,” is all set to provide some blistering tennis hard-court moments of the year. The Rod Laver Arena will be jam-packed entirely, and the players will lock their eyes across the net as they know that the next few hours will decide their confidence for the coming season.
Starting from January 12th to February 1st, the tennis world will intersect at Melbourne Park, and by any chance if you think last year’s thrill was intense, so belt up. Because AO 2026 is not only about crowning champions but about experiencing underdogs, history, and legends of the game who are still eager to prove that they still have it.
Can Jannik Sinner and Sabalenka Hold Their Ground?
Let’s have a discussion about the elephant in the court, Jannik Sinner. The Italian star is not just a defending champion but the front-runner to become the 3rd player in the Open Era history to win consecutive Australian Open Titles. As per the Sportsbook Review, Sinner has an exceptional 52.38% probability of winning the Australian Open Final, with some professionals also estimating his chances as high up to 65.9%. In short, he’s not just favoured but also expected to win
Things for Sinners aren’t that easy. Carlos Alcaraz, the player who’s tied with Jannik in a Grand Slap duopoly, is hovering his neck at +150 odds. They have faced each other multiple times and are now one of the most compelling rivalries in the tennis arena.
On the female side, Aryna Sabalenka will enter the Aus Open as the favourite. This year will be crucial for her, as in the last final, her vulnerability was exposed by defending champion Madison Keys. She dismantled Sabalenka to grab her first Grand Slam Title at the age of 29.
The Comeback Stories in Aus Open 2026
The legends of the game, Venus Williams and Novak Djokovic, will surely attract tennis fans worldwide.
Venus, at the age of 45, who recently received a wild card entry, is set to become the oldest player to compete in the Australian Open main draw. Venus last won a grand slam event in 2008, and now here she is coming back into the hard court for her 22nd appearance at Melbourne Park. Experts are not backing her to win the title, but witnessing a legend at 45 also explains why the Australian Open is called “Happy Slam.”
The 24x Grand Slam winner and 10x Australian Open champion is facing uncertainty regarding his future at his favourite event. In the last edition, a muscle injury forced him to forfeit his semi-final match against Alexander Zverev. The question is, will Djokovic be able to uphold his legacy, or is this another beginning of a legend’s exit from the sport?
The Australian Open's Controversial Side
Djokovic's Visa Cancellation
Talking about controversies, Novak Djokovic’s visa drama in 2022 always tops the table.
- In January 2022, Novak arrived in Australia and was all set to compete, but something unusual took place. Australian authorities detained and deported him, stating that his visa was invalid, and he also had some problems linked to his COVID-19 test documentation.
- This saga went on, becoming a global political and public health hotspot. The 9x winner and defending champion at that point was not allowed to participate in the Australian Open 2022.
The "Twirl" Sexism Controversy
The 2015 Australian Open was at the centre of conversations about sexism in tennis history.
- At the time of the on-court interview, a male commentator asked Serena Williams and Eugenie Bouchard to “give us a twirl” to show off their outfits, a request that instantly ignited backlash.
- Critics on the internet called it sexist, specifying that male players are never asked for such things on the court. Later, this incident also sparked a wider audience about how female athletes are treated differently from males in sports media.
Sharapova's Doping Case
Another major controversy that’s still stuck in the brains of tennis fans is Maria Sharapova’s doping incident.
- After getting defeated by Serena Williams at the 2016 AO, Sharapova later publicized that she had tested positive for a drug called meldonium, a substance that was added to the banned list a few weeks earlier.
- She received a 24-month suspension, which was then reduced to 15 months on submitting an appeal. However, this significantly impacted her legacy.
India at the Australian Open 2026
The only good news for Indian Tennis fans in the AO 2026 is in men’s doubles, where an Indo-Thai pair will compete to build their legacy.
Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha has qualified for the main draw, a historic moment for Indian tennis, where no Indian player has been able to qualify for this grand slam in 2026. He will partner with his teammate, Pruchya Isaro from Thailand.
For Indian and Thai fans, the men’s doubles event is far more than just background action. This is the only primary place to watch both nations in action.
Concluding
For tennis fans worldwide, the Australian Open works as a reset. It’s the very first grand slam of the year, where all the probabilities remain open, and each draw card can ignite something extraordinary. Mark your calendars, the hard court, the triumphs, drama, tears, and heartbreak that come along with it are set to remind us why tennis is one of the greatest sports in human history. Your “Happy Slam” is calling, and don’t forget the date- January 12th to February 1st 2026!
