The first day of the Australian Open is rarely about trophies. It’s about nerves. About survival and progress. About players trying to stay under high expectations as the first Grand Slam of the year finally begins.
For Carlos Alcaraz, that weight was clear the moment he set foot in Rod Laver Arena.
World No. 1 opened his own 2026 Campaigned with a straightforward win over Australian character Adam Walton, moving efficiently and with purpose as he began another bid to conquer the only major that has so far eluded him. There was no theatrics and no scares, just a reminder that when Alcaraz is locked in, few players can match his pace or imagination. The draw will solidify pretty quickly, but the first day was about setting a tone.
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Aryna salenka did almost the same.
The two-time defending champion saw 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 power finally showed, as it often does in Melbourne, where her game has proved uniquely suited to the conditions. It wasn’t perfect, but it was controlled – exactly what a batsman hopes for in an opening match.
Elsewhere, the tournament’s familiar unpredictability made its presence felt.
Germany’s Alexander Zverev dropped the opening set against Canada’s Gabriel Diallo before regrouping to advance to four. On the women’s side, 11Second seed Ekaterina Alexandrova was knocked out by Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez, whose cool never wavered even though play was briefly halted when a ball kid fainted in the heat. Sonmez stopped to help before completing the biggest win of her career, a moment that resonated beyond the score.
There was also history.
Venus Williams, competing in the Australian Open main draw at 45 year old, became the oldest woman to do so. She pushed Serbia’s Olga Danilović to three sets, showing flashes of determination that have defined her career, before falling to a tough loss. Williams led deep into the deciding set and for a moment felt defeated. In the end, 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 grounds themselves told a different story.
A record crowd poured into Melbourne Park, prompting organizers to halt ticket sales at the ground as fans waited in long queues under the sun. The Australian Open has always prided itself on accessibility, but day one offered a glimpse of just how popular — and how expansive — the event has become.
By the end of the night, many favorites had moved on, several contenders had already disappeared, and the tournament was beginning to take shape. That’s the pace of day one in Melbourne: not endings, but beginnings.
The Australian Open does not crown champions on day one. Instead, ask questions. Several players responded. Others will never have the chance.
