AO 2026: Quick Recap Highlights

Bassyonni

Published: February 1, 2026 4:19 PM ET

The Australian Open 2026 has concluded, leaving an array of unforgettable moments and remarkable achievements in its wake. Over three weeks, 1.37 million fans visited Melbourne Park, participating in the excitement surrounding this prestigious event.

Men’s Singles Highlights

Carlos Alcaraz made history by winning his first Australian Open men’s singles title at just 22 years old. This victory marked him as the youngest player to achieve a career Grand Slam and the first to do so at the Australian Open.

Alcaraz triumphed over 10-time champion Novak Djokovic in four sets.
This win also allowed him to capture his seventh Grand Slam title.
Djokovic sought his elusive 25th major title but fell short, marking his first defeat in an Australian Open final.
His run in this tournament was considered encouraging, as it was his first final since Wimbledon 2024.

Women’s Singles Highlights

Elena Rybakina captured her first Australian Open women’s singles title, becoming the first player from Kazakhstan to achieve this milestone. As the fifth seed, she defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a significant comeback from her previous year’s loss.

Rybakina utilized her strong serve and powerful backhand effectively.
Sabalenka, despite finishing as a finalist for a second consecutive year, acknowledged Rybakina’s superior performance.
Sabalenka aims for her fifth Australian Open final in 2027, looking to reclaim the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.

Semifinals and Notable Matches

This year’s semifinals were remarkable, showcasing the resilience of players. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner faced Djokovic in a gripping five-set match, though he only converted two of 18 break points.

Alexander Zverev nearly achieved a comeback against Alcaraz in the longest semifinal in Australian Open history.
Lorenzo Musetti battled in a vibrant quarterfinal against Djokovic but was forced to retire due to injury.
Wildcard champion Stan Wawrinka bid farewell after reaching the third round at 40.

Junior and Wheelchair Titles

The Australian Open 2026 also highlighted the achievements in junior and wheelchair categories. Ksenia Efremova, representing France, won the junior girls’ singles, the first such title for her country since 1999.

Ziga Sesko from Slovenia claimed the junior boys’ singles title, marking a milestone for his nation.
In men’s quad wheelchair singles, Niels Vink completed a career Grand Slam at 23.
Japan’s Tokito Oda, at 19, became the youngest to hold all four Grand Slam titles in any format.

Doubles Championships

In doubles competitions, Elise Mertens and Shuai Zhang emerged victorious in the women’s doubles, further adding to their impressive Grand Slam resumes. In men’s doubles, Christian Harrison and Neal Skupski took home their respective titles, marking a first major for Harrison and a second for Skupski.

Australian wildcards Olivia Gadecki and John Peers defended their mixed doubles title, a feat last accomplished in 1989.

The Australian Open 2026 will undoubtedly be remembered for its thrilling matches and the emergence of new champions.