Australian Open 2026: Gauff, Keys Face Tough Draws, Alcaraz Chases Slam, Amateur Wins A$1M ‘One Point Slam’

The tennis world is abuzz as the 2026 Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the calendar year, is officially underway. With a record $74.9 million in prize money and $2.79 million earmarked for both men’s and women’s singles champions, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The draw, recently unveiled in Melbourne, has set the stage for thrilling matchups, potential upsets, and compelling narratives, featuring stars like American Coco Gauff, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, and Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka.

But before the main event truly kicked off, an unprecedented spectacle captured global attention and redefined what it means to compete at the highest level. The inaugural Million Dollar One Point Slam saw a Sydney tennis coach, 29-year-old Jordan Smith, triumph over a field packed with tennis titans including Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff. Smith’s fairytale victory, securing a staggering A$1 million prize, wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was a masterstroke by Tennis Australia, drawing a full house to Rod Laver Arena and injecting a fresh, human-centric energy into the sport.

Amateur’s Dream: The Million Dollar One Point Slam Delivers Unforgettable Drama

In a bold move to attract new fans, Tennis Australia introduced the One Point Slam, a knockout tournament where each tie was decided by a single, high-stakes point. To level the playing field, professionals were granted only one serve, and a game of rock-paper-scissors determined the server. This innovative, almost ‘TikTokification’ of tennis, as The Guardian described it, created an electrifying atmosphere, blending the raw talent of the pros with the sheer determination of amateurs and celebrities.

Jordan Smith, a New South Wales state champion, emerged as the undisputed hero. He navigated through a challenging bracket, defeating prominent players like women’s world number four Amanda Anisimova and even benefitting from men’s world number two Jannik Sinner’s failed single serve. Smith’s calm demeanor, even when facing a box full of replica cash courtside, was remarkable. His final victory against Taiwanese world No. 117 Joanna Garland, who had herself stunned Alexander Zverev and Nick Kyrgios, captivated the nearly 15,000-strong crowd.

The event was a roaring success, proving that tennis can embrace non-traditional formats to engage wider audiences. While some pros, like Donna Vekic, quipped about buying diamonds with the prize money, Smith’s more grounded aspirations of an apartment or ‘half a house’ resonated deeply, highlighting the life-changing impact of such a win for an amateur. As BBC Sport noted, even Coco Gauff admitted she hoped an amateur would win, believing they would be more deserving of a sum that could alter their life. The One Point Slam was more than just a pre-tournament exhibition; it was a testament to the unpredictable magic of sport, setting a vibrant tone for the major to follow.

Women’s Singles: Gauff and Keys Face Formidable Challenges

The main draw for the women’s singles promises intense battles, with defending champion Madison Keys and rising star Coco Gauff navigating particularly challenging paths. Keys, who finally claimed her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2025 Australian Open after years of perseverance, faces a tough road to defend her crown. Her journey begins against Oleksandra Oliynykova, with a likely third-round encounter against No. 22 Leylah Fernandez. The real tests could come in the fourth round against No. 6 Jessica Pegula or No. 25 Paula Badosa, both of whom Keys leads in head-to-head records. Should she advance, potential quarterfinal matchups include No. 4 Amanda Anisimova or No. 27 Sofia Kenin, with a challenging semifinal against No. 2 Iga Swiatek or No. 10 Belinda Bencic looming.

Coco Gauff, the No. 3 seed, is looking to build on her 2025 French Open victory. After addressing her serving and forehand woes with biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan, Gauff displayed significant progress at the United Cup. Her draw, however, is far from simple. A potential second-round clash with the legendary Venus Williams could be an emotional early hurdle, followed by a possible third-round match against 2023 Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušova. The fourth round could see her face fellow American Emma Navarro, who has defeated Gauff in their last two encounters, including at the 2024 US Open. To get out of her quarter, Gauff would likely need to overcome No. 8 Mirra Andreeva or No. 12 Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals, setting up a potential 2025 French Open final rematch against Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals.

Men’s Singles: Alcaraz Eyes History, Sinner and Djokovic on Collision Course

On the men’s side, six-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz is on a quest for history. The Australian Open remains the only Grand Slam title he hasn’t won, putting him one victory away from a career Grand Slam, a feat last achieved by Novak Djokovic in 2016. Despite his past struggles on Melbourne’s fast hard courts, a favorable draw this year could pave his way to a maiden semifinal appearance. Alcaraz opens his campaign against Australian Adam Walton, with a likely fourth-round match against No. 19 Tommy Paul, whom he has beaten four times consecutively. A potential quarterfinal against No. 6 Alex de Minaur could lead to a semifinal clash with familiar foe No. 3 Alexander Zverev, against whom Alcaraz is tied 6-6 in head-to-head encounters.

Meanwhile, the prospect of a blockbuster semifinal between two-time reigning champion Jannik Sinner and record 10-time champion Novak Djokovic looms large, as they find themselves in the same half of the draw. Sinner, who leads Djokovic 6-4 in their head-to-head and has won their last five meetings, including the 2024 Australian Open semifinal, is chasing his third consecutive title at Melbourne Park and his fifth major overall. Djokovic, 38, is aiming for his 25th major crown, which would break his tie with Margaret Court for the most major singles titles in tennis history. Djokovic faces Pedro Martinez in the first round and would need to navigate potential quarterfinal opponents like No. 5 Lorenzo Musetti, No. 9 Taylor Fritz, or No. 31 Stefanos Tsitsipas, against whom he holds a dominant combined 32-3 record. Sinner, seeded second, begins against French lefty Hugo Gaston, with No. 8 Ben Shelton posing his biggest seeded challenge in the quarterfinals.

Beyond the top seeds, the first round features several compelling matchups. Australian Alex de Minaur will take on former Australian Open semifinalist Matteo Berrettini, a rivalry where Berrettini holds a 3-2 lead. On the women’s side, No. 32 seed Markéta Vondroušova faces Hailey Baptiste, who had a strong 2025 season, reaching the fourth round of the French Open. Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, also successfully navigated qualifying rounds, adding another formidable presence to the early stages.

Fans can catch all the action of the Australian Open broadcast across ESPN and ESPN 2, with streaming options available on Fubo. The tournament runs from January 18 through February 1, culminating in the women’s final on January 31 and the men’s final on February 1.

The 2026 Australian Open is poised to be a tournament of contrasts and compelling narratives. From an amateur tennis coach’s life-altering triumph in the innovative One Point Slam, captivating new audiences and demonstrating the sport’s potential for engaging novelty, to the rigorous, traditional battles of the main draw where established champions and rising stars alike face daunting paths, the event showcases tennis’s dual capacity for both groundbreaking entertainment and enduring athletic excellence. This blend of the unexpected and the elite promises a truly memorable start to the Grand Slam season.