The Australian Open 2026

The ‘Battle of the sexes” exhibition tennis match was played on the 28th of December. The cross gender match was played at the Coca Cola arena in Dubia. On the one side of the court was the world number one female player Aryna Sabalenka and in the other Nick Kyrgios. This was not an easy match for Nick to win but it was the perfect way to end the 2025 tennis season. This fun match was meant for the spectators and was not a competitive game.

Furthermore, it could be none other than Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams that holds the most titles at the Australian Open! So who will be the all stars in the opener and walk away with the glory?

Australian Open Date and Venue

Tennis fans are waiting in anticipation for the Australian Open 2026 to usher in to the start of the tennis season. The Australian Open is one of the four Grand Slam competitions and takes place in January. This year’s Open starts on the 18^th of January. The Rod Laver Arena is the main court and has a retractable roof in case of bad weather conditions.

The Australian Open first tipped off back in 1905 at the historic Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, marking the start of what would become one of tennis’s most iconic tournaments. Then, in 1988, the event stepped into a new era when it moved to Melbourne Park and switched to hard courts. Thus officially cementing its place as a Grand Slam and setting the stage for the high-intensity action fans love today.

Who is going to win the Australian Open

There are more that just a women’s and men’s singles taking place at the Happy Slam. The Australian Open also features junior, legends, mixed doubles and doubles events. These events offer great odds in tennis betting in South Africa when homework on the players have been done before hand. Here is a look at some of the players that are will be well worth a bet as outright tournament winners.

Men’s Singles

The Italian Jannik Sinner is aiming for his three peat of the tournament after defending his title in 2025. The hard court suits the player well and he is seen as a favourite to win the competition. Novak Djokovic is the only player that has done the three peats and will also be playing in this year’s AO. Novak Djokovic will play in his 20th Australian Open this year. He has won the title a record number of times and remains a formidable force in the tournament.

Spaniard and current world number one Carlos Alcaraz will also be playing this year. The Aus Open is the one trophy that the player has not won and he will be hoping to start the season with a career Grand Slam under his belt.

Australian Alex de Minaur enters the competition as a bit of an underdog, ranked number 6 in the world. Alex is in the best form of his career and has many quarter finals under his belt. He will also enjoy the support from the crowd to edge him on.

Women’s Singles

Current world number one Aryna Sabalenka is the favourite in the women’s singles coming into the event. The Belarusian has already won all four Grand Slams and will be defending her title.

Iga Świątek is a definite contender although she is a clay court specialist. The Polish player is at number two in the world rankings and should make the semi finals.

Defending champion Madison Keys has dropped slightly in the world rankings in the last few months. The 2025 title holder is currently sitting on number 9 on the rankings. But, this does not stop Madison to be a threat this year. She would make a good candidate for an early bet.

Betting on Tennis in SA

Aus open betting offers various different kinds of bets. Tennis betting options ranges from the simple match winner and set betting, to the advanced betting options such as player to win the set and will there be a tie break in the match. Our preferred betting partners offer odds on all the matches of the Australian open. Game, set, and match! We watch to see who will claim the top spot at the 2026 Australian Open. Therefore give licenced sites such as SuperSportBET, 10bet or Betway a try and our recommendations below:

The Other Three Grand Slams in 2026

While the Australian Open gets the season rolling, the tennis calendar still delivers three massive Grand Slam events that keep fans locked in throughout the year. Each tournament brings its own surface, style of play, and betting opportunities, which makes following all four Slams even more exciting.

French Open (Roland-Garros)
Next up, the tour heads to Paris for the French Open, traditionally played from late May to early June. This Grand Slam takes place on clay courts, which slow the ball down and reward patience, stamina, and tactical play. As a result, long rallies and five-set battles often dominate the men’s draw, while consistency becomes key for bettors targeting outright winners and set betting markets.

Wimbledon
Then comes the most prestigious tournament in tennis. Wimbledon runs from late June into early July and remains the only Grand Slam played on grass. Because grass courts produce faster points and lower bounces, big servers and aggressive net players usually thrive. Consequently, Wimbledon often delivers shocks, making it a favourite for value hunters in match betting and outright markets.

US Open
Finally, the season wraps up with the US Open in New York from late August to early September. Like the Australian Open, it features hard courts, but the atmosphere feels completely different. The loud crowds, night sessions, and fast-paced conditions create dramatic finishes and surprise runs. For bettors, this Grand Slam offers plenty of live-betting opportunities as momentum swings quickly during matches.

Together with the Australian Open, these three Grand Slams complete the tennis calendar for 2026, giving South African tennis fans and punters four massive chances to enjoy world-class action and place smart, informed bets throughout the year. For other sporting events in January have a look at our January Sport Preview.