Play has begun at the Australian Open — the first Grand Slam of the season — with No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini facing Aliaksandra Sasnovich at the Rod Laver Arena.

The Australian Open main draw is now locked in, bringing the long and demanding qualifying rounds to a close. Few stages in the sport come with as much on the line for players.

The Australian Open will offer a record A$111.5 million ($74.73 million) in prize money this year and while players welcomed the increase, top names like Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka said the push for a bigger payout must continue across the Grand Slams.

With Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys divvying up the four Grand Slam titles last season, women’s tennis offers quite a bit more intrigue these days than the “ Sincaraz ” dominance in the men’s game.

An amateur tennis player beating a four-time Grand Slam champion. Men competing against women — on a normal court. Professional players taking on TV hosts, comedians and a former jockey. A single point deciding the winner of $1 million AUD ($668,300 USD), in front of a packed stadium and a captive online audience.

Ahead of the start of the 2026 Australian Open Grand Slam in Melbourne, Sky Sports Tennis Gigi Salmon pens her latest column, previewing everything to come Down Under; Watch ATP and WTA Tours live on Sky Sports Tennis,

Sam Querrey spoke on The Tennis Worthy Podcast, stressing that Anisimova could dominate this season and finish the season as world number one.

On his much belated farewell tour to the tournament he first described as the “Happy Slam," Roger Federer has held court on contemporary tennis. The 20-time major winner was as diplomatic as ever, of course.