Top Seeds Alcaraz and Sabalenka Set to Shine on Australian Open Day One

Carlos Alcaraz will kick off his pursuit of tennis history, while women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka is also in action on the opening day of the Australian Open on Sunday.

Last year’s runner-up Alexander Zverev and 45-year-old Venus Williams, who is set to become the oldest woman to compete in the tournament, are also featured on day one.

Spain’s Alcaraz, who has already won the US Open, Wimbledon, and French Open, is aiming to complete his Grand Slam collection with the Melbourne Park title—the only major missing from his resume.

The world number one has previously reached the quarter-finals in Melbourne and has made it clear that dethroning rival Jannik Sinner as champion is his top goal for 2026.

“If I do so, the 22-year-old would surpass compatriot Rafael Nadal to become the youngest man to achieve a career Grand Slam, winning all four majors.

‘I’m just hungry for the title, hungry to do a really good result here,’ Alcaraz said. ‘I’m just getting ready as much as I can. I’m really excited about the tournament beginning.’”

Alcaraz will open his title chase against 79th-ranked Australian Adam Walton in the final match of the day on Rod Laver Arena.

Italy’s world number seven Jasmine Paolini will kick off centre court action against Belarus’ Aliaksandra Sasnovich, while Germany’s Zverev, who lost to Sinner in last year’s final, faces Canada’s Gabriel Diallo.

Sabalenka, targeting a third Melbourne crown in four years, takes on French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah after her 2025 final defeat to American Madison Keys. The Belarusian recently captured the Brisbane International title in a statement of intent.

“I can’t complain about my start of the season. I think I played some great matches there, showed great tennis,” said the 27-year-old.

Veteran Venus Williams returns to Melbourne for the first time since 2021 with a wildcard, facing Serbia’s 68th-ranked Olga Danilovic. Now ranked 576, Williams has had limited play in recent years, losing in the opening rounds of both warm-up events.

“This is the greatest place on Earth to play. I have had amazing memories here. I love challenges, so I’m up for the challenge,” Williams said.

Other notable players in action include men’s 10th seed Alexander Bublik and women’s 12th seed Elina Svitolina, both of whom won warm-up tournaments ahead of the Australian Open.

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