The 2026 Australian Open is in the books. I’ve enjoyed following the last two weeks which has been a welcome distraction from the January blues. It was a great final but all in all, I wouldn’t say it was a particularly memorable Slam as the second week fell flat until the final. Anyway… read on for my favourite moments from Melbourne.
Champion 🏆
Elena Rybakina won her second Major, rallying from 0-3 down in the third set, to beat Aryna Sabalenka, 6-4 4-6 6-4 in two hours and 18 minutes. In a second week that had been lacking competitive matches, the final delivered the best match of the tournament. The first two sets were high quality and dominated on serve. The third set had a bit of everything – some great rallies, errors and tension befitting of a third set in a Slam final.
Of their previous three set encounters, Sabalenka had won seven out of eight. When Sabalenka fended off a break point to lead 3-0 in the third set, I thought this was done and Sabalenka was well on her way to the title. I’m really surprised at how the final unfolded from there and Sabalenka essentially let Rybakina back in. When watching live, I thought it was more about Sabalenka blinking. On reflection and watching back again, i’d give a lot more credit to Rybakina who really found her level and intent again . I hate to say it because i’m not a fan at all but Rybakina locked in again after her coach, Stefano Vukov, said to her that she needed more energy. Ultimately, the turning point was Sabalenka failing to convert a break point at 3-2 in the final set, barely missing missing a return on a Rybakina second serve. Rybakina held and then Sabalenka then played her worst game of the entire match in the next match to surrender her serve.
When Rybakina secured the break to lead in the final set, she front-ran so impressively. The first serve percentage has been a battle all tournament – when it really mattered serving out for the title, Rybakina landed two big first serves to win the whole caboodle. Rybakina has now won 20 (!) of her last 21 matches and will rise to world number three. I’m excited for the year ahead and I think the WTA is in a strong position right now.
Best Match 🎾
This was a disappointing tournament for memorable matches which was a surprise considering the seedings largely held for the second week. Rybakina-Sabalenka was the best match of the tournament and season so far.
Other than the final, my favourite match was a much anticipated (at least in my brain) first meeting between Clara Tauson and Victoria Mboko. Mboko nicked the opener and had a trio of match points in the second set which is when Tauson entered peak mode. It was made all the more impressive considering Tauson’s impressive shank on her first serve on the first match point. Tauson played exceptionally well to force a third set. Mboko’s resilience was equally impressive as she managed to reset to win in three sets, 7-6(5) 5-7 6-3. I’m all aboard the Mboko train – I think she’ll be competing for Slams within a year or two.
Best Shot 😱
First match of the tournament and this was not topped all fortnight. Love anything around the net post!
Best Stories 📖
The Aussies had a good tournament, notably Storm Hunter and Maddison Inglis, who both came through qualifying. They both seem like genuinely nice people 😊. Hunter won a round in the main draw and spoke candidly in press about how she didn’t know if she had the level to compete in singles following her spell on the sidelines due to an achilles rupture. Inglis saved match points in qualifying and came through two epics against Kimberly Birrell and Laura Siegemund before benefitting from Osaka’s withdrawal to reach the second week.
I will also remember this tournament for the breakout of Iva Jovic who scored her first top ten win over Jasmine Paolini and reached the quarter-finals. Jovic was very engaging and came across well in her press conferences. The meteoric rise in attention has been quite something – BBC Sport even ran an article touting Jovic as a future world number one ( although that’s probably more just about their clickbait headlines). I have to admit i’m not quite there yet. I’m looking forward to watching more of Jovic as the season progresses.
New Face 👩
I’d never heard of Madison Keys’s first round opponent, Oleksandra Oliynykova. After researching Oliynykova to complete my draw predictions, I learned that Oliynykova had shot up at the rankings last Autumn after winning a bunch of 125 events on clay. Still, nothing could prepare me for watching her for the first time. Olinykova had a clearly nervous and rattled Keys on the ropes for the first set of their first round encounter with her funky game of slices, spins, pace and oh yes, moonballs! My favourite quirk of Olynyikova was applauding all of Keys’s good shots. She just generally seemed to be having a great time, relishing the experience of playing a Slam main draw for the first time.
Olynyikova was grinning from ear-to-ear at the end of the match and had a lovely exchange with Keys at the net before acknowledging the crowd and then signing autographs for anyone who was interested. I loved that Keys credited Olynyikova in her post-match interview and she seemed genuinely touched and surprised at that. Olynyikova’s press conference was also very moving.
Dramatic Moment 👀
It was a shame how the Osaka-Cirstea match ended because it was one of the better matches from the tournament. Still, a bit of drama is always fun! Cirstea objected to Osaka pumping herself up in between first and second serves in the third set and then gave a drive-by handshake at the end. Osaka didn’t hold back in reacting to Cirstea and in her post-match interview. Osaka did apologise for how she handled her post-match interview but I can understand how emotions were high for both as this was also Cirstea’s last appearance at the Australian Open.
Biggest Upset 😱
The first week was largely upset free. Elsa Jacquemot beating Marta Kostyuk was a mild surprise considering Kostyuk’s excellent start in Brisbane. I was still wary considering Kostyuk’s inconsistencies in recent years. One result I didn’t see coming at all was the 19-year-old Czech player, Nikola Bartunkova beating Belinda Bencic and inflicting a first defeat for the Swiss player in 2026 after a stunning start to the year at the Hopman Cup. Bencic struggled on serve and had few answers to an inspired Bartunkova who has a gorgeous game and deft touch, and was cracking some glorious winners down-the-line. And yet another Czech – it’s like a production line!
Best Stat 🔢
While there were few noteworthy upsets in the first week, it did pave the way for a sensational quarter-final line-up featuring the top six players in the world – a first! It’s a shame it didn’t quite materialise in terms of match-ups. Gauff-Muchova on the middle Sunday was the last three set match of the women’s tournament until the final.
Funniest moment 😂
Classic Poots.
Handshakes & Hugs Sportswomanship moment 🤗
This was a nice moment between Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula, both on and off the court after their last 16 clash. I’m really enjoying the Players Box podcast.
Favourite Interview 📺
Sabalenka’s first round on-court interview with Rod and Roger watching on was a good one.
Favourite Press Conference 📺
The Australian Open is fantastic at putting up all the press conferences. I particularly enjoyed Madison Keys’s reflections on trying to defend her title after a fourth round loss to Jessica Pegula.
Favourite snaps 📸
There was a wild moment in the Swiatek-Bouzkova that was beautifully captured.
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