Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates victory over Germany's Alexander Zverev after their men's singles final match at the Australian Open. Photo: AFP / Martin Keep
The silly season has come to an end, but for tennis fans the festivities are just getting started.
The Australian Open is returning for its 114th edition, bringing the world's top players and hopefuls to sweat it out on the iconic blue courts under the Melbourne skyline.
Here's everything you need to know.
When is the Australian Open?
The Australian Open main draw starts on Sunday 18 January.
The tournament will take place at Melbourne Park across 39 courts, including Rod Laver Arena for the big matches, the "people's court" John Cain Arena and Margaret Court.
When are the Australian Open finals?
The women's final will take place on Saturday 31 January.
The men's final, a day later, will be on Sunday 1 February.
At A$111.5 million (NZ$130m) this year's prize pool is the largest in the tournament's history - a 16 percent increase on 2025.
The men's and women's singles champions will each earn NZ$4.83m, with runners-up pocketing $2.5m.
When is the official draw?
The Australian Open official draw will be at 4:30pm (NZ time) on Thursday.
Who are the reigning champions?
American Madison Keys, who is currently ranked seven in the WTA, claimed a thrilling victory at last year's grand slam.
She defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.
On the men's side, current world number two Jannik Sinner lifted the trophy after a relatively easy three set match against Alexander Zverev.
Madison Keys of the USA holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup following her Women’s final win over Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz
Who are the top women to watch?
Fresh off her Brisbane International title, two-time defending AO champion Sabalenka will head into the tournament as the player to beat.
The Belarussian is also the most recent Grand Slam title winner, emerging victorious at the US Open last year.
Not far behind her will be the world number two Iga Świątek. But there are concerns over Świątek's fitness and form after a series of mysterious meltdowns and lacklustre showings at the United Cup.
Switzerland's Belinda Bencic hits a return to Poland's Iga Świątek during their women's singles match during the final at the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney on January 11, 2026. Photo: AFP / Izhar Khan
Meanwhile, Belinda Bencic enjoyed a stunning United Cup, where the Swiss star was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP). She finished the event with a 5-0 singles record and is currently ranked 10th in the world.
Bencic has never made it beyond the fourth round at the AO.
Then there's last year's champion, Keys, who will be ranked ninth coming into the tournament and will be hoping to defend her crown.
Elena Rybakina, who won the 2025 WTA Finals, and Amanda Anisimova, who appeared in two Grand Slam finals last year at Wimbledon and the US Open, are also ones to watch.
Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini and Mirra Andreeva round out the top ten seeds. Photo: Photosport
Who are the top men to watch?
In terms of the big names, Sinner will be hoping to win his third consecutive AO and fifth Grand Slam title.
He is currently ranked second in the world behind Carlos Alcaraz - another player set to draw attention at this year's AO.
The Spanish star has never made it past the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park.
World number four Novak Djokovic, who holds the record for most men's AO titles at 10, will also be looking to add to his collection.
However, his participation in the AO is under a fitness cloud after he pulled out of the Adelaide International saying he was "not quite physically ready".
Two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev is also one to watch given he is hot off winning the Brisbane International in straight sets.
Novak Djokovic. Photo: Photosport
But aside from his one US Open Crown he has not managed to take the steps required to be a regular threat to the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz.
Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime could also challenge for the title after his best year on tour.
The other players in the top 10 will also be contenders, including Zverev, Lorenzo Musetti, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton and de Minaur.
-ABC