For Carlos Alcaraz, that weight was evident from the moment he set foot in Rod Laver Arena.
The world no. 1 opened his 2026 campaign with a straight-sets victory over Australian wildcard Adam Walton, moving efficiently and with purpose as he began another attempt to capture the only major that has thus far eluded him. There was no theater and no scares, just a reminder that when Alcaraz is locked up, few players can match his pace or imagination. The tension will build soon enough, but day one was about setting the tone.
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Aryna Salenka did much the same.
The two-time defending champions shook off an early challenge from French qualifier Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah before asserting herself in a 6-4, 6-1 victory under the lights. Sabalenka’s strength finally shone through, as it so often does in Melbourne, where her game has proven uniquely suited to the conditions. It didn’t go smoothly, but it was controlled – exactly what a top player hopes for in an opening match.
Elsewhere, the familiar unpredictability of the tournament was palpable.
German Alexander Zverev dropped the opening set to Canadian Gabriel Diallo before regrouping to move up to four. On the women’s side, 11Ekaterina Alexandrova was sent off by Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez, whose composure never wavered even though play was briefly interrupted when a ball boy fainted in the heat. Sonmez paused to help before scoring the biggest win of her career, a moment that resonated beyond the score line.
There was also history.
Venus Williams, who plays in the main draw of the Australian Open 45 years old, became the oldest woman ever to do so. She pushed Serbia’s Olga Danilović to three sets and showed flashes of the determination that defined her career before falling to a hard-fought defeat. Williams led deep into the deciding set and for a moment it seemed possible. Ultimately, the result mattered less than the memory of what she gave to the sport – and how much of herself she still brings to the field.
The site itself told a different story.
Record crowds poured into Melbourne Park, prompting organizers to halt the sale of ground passes as fans waited in long lines under the sun. The Australian Open has always prided itself on its accessibility, but the first day offered a glimpse of how popular – and how extensive – the event has become.
By the end of the evening, many favorites had moved on, a few contenders had already disappeared and the tournament was starting to take shape. That’s the rhythm of the first day in Melbourne: no conclusions, but a beginning.
The Australian Open will not be crowned champion on the first day. Instead, questions are asked. Some players replied. Others no longer get the chance.
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