The 2026 Australian Open has officially begun, and in a surprising turn of events, the renowned Italian player Matteo Berrettini has withdrawn from his highly anticipated first-round match against Australia’s Alex de Minaur. This decision came just before the tournament kicked off, adding another chapter to Berrettini's unfortunate streak of setbacks.
As we dive into day one of this prestigious grand slam event, the spotlight is on rising stars such as Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, who are expected to deliver thrilling performances on the courts of Melbourne Park.
Key Updates
Just in: Matches and Highlights
- Time Check: 14 minutes ago (Jan 17, 2026) at 11:45 PM AEDT
- Latest Update: 35 minutes ago (Jan 17, 2026) at 11:24 PM AEDT
- Recent News: 41 minutes ago (Jan 17, 2026) at 11:18 PM AEDT
Australians Taking the Court Today
In an exciting start to the Australian Open, several local players will be competing:
- Talia Gibson (Wildcard) vs Anna Blinkova at 11 AM on Kia Arena
- Corentin Moutet (seeded 32) vs Tristan Schoolkate in the second match on Kia Arena
- Frances Tiafoe (29) vs Jason Kubler (Qualifier) from 5 PM on John Cain Arena
- Carlos Alcaraz (top seed) vs Adam Walton last match on Rod Laver Arena
Venus Williams Returns
Adding to the excitement of day one, the legendary Venus Williams, at 45 years old, has made her presence felt at Melbourne Park. She is set to face Serbia's Olga Danilović, currently ranked 68th in the world, in what promises to be a captivating first-round matchup on John Cain Arena. If Williams manages to secure a victory, she would face off against Coco Gauff, the tournament's third seed, who is notably less than half her age. Gauff has previously expressed how much the Williams sisters have inspired her journey in tennis.
While the exact timing for Williams' match remains uncertain, it is slated to follow the encounter between Jason Kubler and Frances Tiafoe, which begins around 5 PM AEDT.
A Local Hope to Watch
One of the first matches of the day features 21-year-old wildcard Talia Gibson, who will step onto the court at 11 AM AEDT to challenge Russian player Anna Blinkova, ranked 62nd in the world. Gibson, currently placed 119th, is aiming to achieve a personal milestone by breaking into the top 100 for the very first time, surpassing her best performance at the Australian Open, where she previously exited in the second round.
De Minaur’s Fortunate Break
In a twist of fate, Alex de Minaur, Australia's top player, has found his path to the next round significantly easier due to Berrettini's unfortunate withdrawal. The Italian star, who had been battling a mysterious illness, has revealed that he is dealing with discomfort in his obliques, leading him to pull out of the competition. "It's never easy to make such decisions, but I've been feeling discomfort again, and I won't be able to compete at my best for five sets," Berrettini shared on Instagram. He expressed his disappointment, noting how special it is to play in Australia, especially after weeks of rigorous training.
De Minaur will now face American player Mackenzie McDonald, who stepped in as a lucky loser and holds the world ranking of 113, in his first-round match on center court on Monday afternoon.
Welcome to the Australian Open!
Today marks the official start of the tennis season, and the excitement is palpable as the Australian Open launches into action. Over the next two weeks, we can expect a plethora of riveting matches and standout performances. I'm Jon Healy, and along with a dedicated team, I will guide you through the exhilarating moments from Melbourne Park. Let’s jump right into the action!
