The 2026 Australian Open begins under a cloud of intrigue for world number one Carlos Alcaraz, who is chasing a historic career Grand Slam just months after his shock split with long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. The Spaniard's quest for his first Melbourne title faces its sternest test from rival Jannik Sinner, while the women's draw presents a fiercely open field of contenders.
Alcaraz's New Chapter Begins Without Ferrero
In his first public comments since the separation, Alcaraz offered little explanation for ending his seven-year partnership with Ferrero, a decision that stunned the tennis world. Speaking at a pre-tournament press conference, the 22-year-old was tight-lipped on the reasons, stating the split was mutual and that they remain friends. "I'm just having plenty of confidence in the team that I have right now," Alcaraz said, confirming his former assistant Samuel López has stepped up as his main coach.
This new chapter presents a monumental challenge: becoming the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam. Despite winning Wimbledon, the US Open, and the French Open twice each, Alcaraz's best performance in Melbourne is two quarter-final runs. The coming fortnight will test his maturity and ability to maintain his stratospheric level without Ferrero's guiding influence, which was credited with instilling greater discipline and tactical detail.
Sinner Stands as Formidable Rival in Men's Draw
Alcaraz's path is complicated by the formidable presence of Jannik Sinner. The Italian, seeded second, is aiming for a third consecutive Australian Open title and arrives with a remarkable record of reaching the past five Grand Slam finals. The pair have contested the last three major finals, with Sinner holding a match point against Alcaraz at last year's French Open before ultimately losing.
The dominance of the top two seeds has rendered the rest of the draw almost irrelevant. While neither is unbeatable—Alcaraz can be erratic and Sinner survived a major scare against Grigor Dimitrov at Wimbledon—a significant gap exists between them and the chasing pack. The task for other contenders in Melbourne is bridging that chasm.
Women's Draw: A Crowded Field of Champions
In stark contrast to the men's tournament, the women's singles is wide open, featuring a deep pool of legitimate title challengers. World number one Aryna Sabalenka starts as the favourite, boasting an astonishing record of 40 wins from her last 42 matches in Australia and having reached the past three finals here. She seeks a third Melbourne crown.
However, she faces immense competition. Iga Swiatek, the Wimbledon 2025 champion, is now chasing her own career Grand Slam, with only the Australian Open missing from her collection. Coco Gauff, the reigning French Open champion, recently defeated Swiatek at the United Cup, demonstrating her growing prowess despite ongoing serve inconsistencies.
The list of threats extends much further:
- Amanda Anisimova, now ranked world number three after a stunning 2025, is a devastating shotmaker.
- Elena Rybakina ended last season by winning the WTA Finals, showcasing her powerful serve and baseline game.
- Belinda Bencic is back in the top ten and in scintillating form.
- Young talents like Mirra Andreeva (18), alongside experienced champions such as Naomi Osaka, Karolina Muchova, and defending champion Madison Keys, all possess the quality for a deep run.
The next two weeks will determine whether Sabalenka and Swiatek can hold off this formidable group, or if a new champion will emerge from the most competitive field in recent memory.
