What to Expect at the Next Australian Open

Meta-description: The Australian Open is one of Melbourne’s biggest sporting events, and we have everything you need to know about it. See how to get the best tickets here.

The Aussie Open is always a big event, and in 2026, with Melbourne Park set to host the year’s first Grand Slam from January 12th through February 1st, we expect another huge one.

If you thought last year was huge (and with 1.2 million fans packing the grounds, it definitely was), you’re in for another tennis bonanza down under. The tournament’s popularity keeps soaring, cementing its spot as one of the world’s must-see sporting events.

The action kicks off with Opening Week from January 12-17, which has become a proper fan favourite in recent years. It’s your chance to catch qualifying matches, charity exhibitions, and watch the stars fine-tune their games during practice sessions—all without breaking the bank.

The main draw serves up from Sunday, January 18th, building toward those edge-of-your-seat finals at Rod Laver Arena. The women’s championship takes place on Saturday night, January 31st, followed by the men’s decider on Sunday, February 1st.

Everything major from the 2025 Australian Open

The 2025 Australian Open delivered a fortnight of scorching tennis that had Melbourne Park buzzing with record crowds. Nick Kyrgios made his long-awaited return to singles action after nearly two years on the sidelines, though it wasn’t the fairytale comeback fans had hoped for. Fighting through an abdominal strain, the Aussie firebrand still managed to send down 13 aces against Scotsman Jacob Fearnley before bowing out in straight sets. When he later teamed with Thanasi Kokkinakis for doubles, their much-anticipated “Special Ks” reunion ended prematurely as Kokkinakis struggled physically, forcing them to retire after just an hour on court.

The tournament saw crowd behaviour reach a tipping point, with multiple incidents of fans disrupting play between serves and during points. The nadir came with the embarrassing jeers directed at Novak Djokovic following his injury-forced retirement in the semifinals. Tournament officials will likely implement stricter protocols next year.

Tennis power couple Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina captured hearts across the fortnight. The French showman delighted packed crowds with his trademark flair, upsetting seeded countryman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard before taking down Taylor Fritz en route to the fourth round. His wife, Svitolina, however, stole the spotlight, rediscovering her peak form to reach the quarterfinals by toppling world No. 4 Jasmine Paolini and writing “The Spirit of Ukraine” on the camera lens after defeating Russian Veronika Kudermetova.

Alex de Minaur’s quest to end Australia’s men’s Grand Slam drought hit another roadblock in his quarterfinal clash with Jannik Sinner. Despite entering with career-best form, de Minaur was dismantled 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 in under two hours, marking Sinner’s tenth consecutive victory over the Australian.

The tournament showcased emerging talents like 18-year-old Brazilian João Fonseca, who stunned ninth seed Andrey Rublev in straight sets, and American teenager Learner Tien, who shocked Daniil Medvedev in a marathon second-round battle.

One of the tournament’s most captivating matches came in the women’s semifinals when Madison Keys unleashed a barrage of forehand winners to edge world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in a nail-biting tiebreak finish after saving match point.

Perhaps the most surprising storyline was Sir Andy Murray’s presence in Novak Djokovic’s coaching box, a partnership that raised eyebrows but proved crucial as Djokovic overcame both injury and Carlos Alcaraz in an epic quarterfinal.

A brief history of the Australian Open

Most tennis fans know the Australian Open as the year’s first Grand Slam, but few realise its nomadic history. Before settling at Melbourne Park, the tournament bounced between five Australian cities and even New Zealand twice after its 1905 debut at Melbourne’s Warehouseman’s Cricket Ground as “The Australasian Championships.”

The tournament’s birth came from necessity – the newly formed Lawn Tennis Association of Australasia (established 1904) needed to create a championship to qualify for the Davis Cup competition. This organisation would eventually transform into Tennis Australia in 1986, the governing body overseeing the sport nationwide.

Surprisingly, the tournament wasn’t always held annually. World events forced cancellations during both World Wars, with no championships between 1916-1918 and 1940-1945.

The name “Australian Open” only arrived in 1969, over six decades after the tournament began. Before then, it was known as the Australian Championships (from 1927) and earlier as the Australasian Championships.

Melbourne’s dominance as host wasn’t always guaranteed, either. The tournament called Sydney home 17 times, Adelaide 14 times, Brisbane 8 times, and Perth 3 times before permanently settling at Kooyong in 1972, drawn by Melbourne’s superior attendance figures. The current Melbourne Park venue has hosted the tournament since 1988, finally giving the tournament the permanent world-class facility it deserved.

The biggest moments and controversies in Australian Open history

The tennis might be world-class, but the drama off the court really gets people talking. Over the years, this Grand Slam has served up its fair share of controversy, shock exits, and emotional meltdowns, making it just as compelling for the spectacle as it is for the sport. Here are some of the big ones:

• The 2022 Novak Djokovic saga—arguably one of the most headline-grabbing moments in Aussie Open history. The world number one arrived in Melbourne with a medical exemption for the COVID vaccine, only to be held in a detention hotel, grilled by border officials, and eventually deported after a legal showdown.
• In 2018, extreme heat saw on-court temperatures soar above 60°C. Gaël Monfils admitted he was dizzy and dehydrated, sparking debate about player safety in a changing climate. Just two years later, the Open pushed ahead despite bushfire smoke choking the city. As air quality plummeted and players coughed through their warmups, the question became: should play have been halted?
• Serena Williams facing off against her sister Venus in 2017, while quietly pregnant. Need we say more?
• The 2017 men’s final saw Federer and Nadal deliver what some call the greatest rivalry curtain call ever. Federer’s five-set win had fans crying, commentators gasping, and sportsmanship at an all-time high.
• Pat Cash’s crushing loss in the 1988 final still stings.
• Dylan Alcott’s final match in 2022, after winning Australian of the Year, ended in defeat, but he left the court a national treasure.
• Ash Barty’s epic 2022 win, ending a decades-long drought for Aussie women in the singles final. Her scream of triumph? Pure goosebumps.

How to make sure you get Australian Open tickets

The crowds are only getting bigger year after year at the Australian Open, and you’ll want to make sure you get in early to secure your tickets. Queen of Tickets always has a range of Australian Open tickets, so you can pick your spot, on the date that suits, and be front and centre for all of the action.