The Athletic ’s tennis team, Matthew Futterman, Charlie Eccleshare and James Hansen, present their takeaways from the first Grand Slam of 2026, from the best shots and funniest moments to the biggest disappointments and the most incredible matches.

On site in Melbourne, TC Live from the Australian Open is your daily destination for previews, recaps, highlights and analysis.

MELBOURNE — World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka clashes with No. 5 Elena Rybakina in the women’s final at the Australian Open today - Saturday, Jan. 31 - from Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia. The match is available to watch on multiple streaming services.

The Australian Open men's semifinals produced a pair of instant classics

Quarterfinal action begins Monday night at the 2026 Australian Open, with the No. 1 seeds in both the men’s and women’s tournaments set to compete. The day starts at 7 p.m. ET with TV coverage on ESPN and ESPN2 and streaming on ESPN Unlimited.

The world No. 2's four-set win over Elliot Spizzirri was shaped by the tournament's heat rule, developed for player and spectator welfare.

Play has been suspended at the Australian Open under the heat rule while Jannik Sinner was in trouble during his third-round match against Eliot Spizzirri

"It is more important to be a good human being than a good tennis player," the athlete said

Carlos Alcaraz, at 22, becomes the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam, showcasing remarkable skill and dedication in tennis history.