Australian Open 2026: Full Schedule, Star Players, Prize Money & How to Watch Live

Melbourne Park is crackling with anticipation as Australian Open 2026 surges into a blockbuster quarter-final stage packed with headline-grabbing storylines. Home favourite Alex de Minaur has electrified Rod Laver Arena by storming past Alexander Bublik 6-4 6-1 6-1 to reach consecutive quarter-finals, setting up a mouth-watering first Grand Slam duel with world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, who eased through in straight sets earlier in the day. De Minaur is bidding to become the first Australian man to lift the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup since 1976, but the Spaniard owns a flawless 5-0 record in their previous meetings, adding extra spice to Tuesday night’s prime-time clash. Novak Djokovic remains on track for a record-extending 11th Melbourne crown after teenage Czech Jakub Mensik withdrew with an abdominal injury moments before their fourth-round encounter, gifting the top seed unexpected recovery time ahead of a last-eight showdown with American left-hander Ben Shelton. Djokovic’s path has also been smoothed by a stunning upset on Margaret Court Arena, where 20-year-old American Learner Tien toppled 2024 champion Daniil Medvedev in straight sets, sending shockwaves through the men’s draw. In the women’s tournament, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka showcased her trademark power to blitz Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko and book a quarter-final berth alongside U.S. Open winner Coco Gauff, who weathered a roller-coaster battle against Karolina Muchova in front of a raucous night-session crowd. World No. 2 Iga Swiatek remains in the hunt for her maiden Australian title, but the Pole must first navigate local qualifier Maddison Inglis in Monday’s heat-soaked daytime schedule. Off-court drama has been equally compelling. Two-time champion Naomi Osaka withdrew due to a lingering hamstring strain, citing the risk of aggravating the injury ahead of the Olympic season, while men’s No. 3 seed Jannik Sinner raised player-safety concerns after sweltering 38 °C temperatures pushed the heat policy to its limits. With local hero De Minaur carrying Aussie hopes, Djokovic’s quest for history alive, and the Sabalenka-Gauff rivalry reignited, Australian Open 2026 is primed for a grand-slam crescendo that promises record crowds, soaring TV ratings and a flurry of must-search moments for tennis fans worldwide.