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12 Jan-1 Feb

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Australian Open 2026 awards

  • Vivienne Christie & Matt Trollope

The Australian Open Awards return for 2026, celebrating three weeks of excitement, emotion, iconic moments and astonishing milestones during a major tournament where Elena Rybakina claimed her first title at Melbourne Park and Carlos Alcaraz completed the career Grand Slam.

Best returns: Former champions

No, we’re not talking serves here, but the popular return of former champions at practically every stage of an unforgettable Australian Open. 

First came six-time champion Roger Federer teaming with four-time titlist Andre Agassi – with AO 2022 women’s winner Ash Barty making a cameo – at the inaugural AO Opening Ceremony. 

Whether in coaching, commentary or simply enjoying the tennis, Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Frank Sedgman, John Newcombe, Bill Bowrey, Mark Edmondson, Stefan Edberg, Mats Wilander, Jim Courier, Marat Safin and the prolific Rafael Nadal were among the former men’s champions who lit up Melbourne Park. 

In the 100th staging of the women’s tournament, Margaret Court, Lesley Bowrey, Martina Navratilova, Lindsay Davenport, Jennifer Capriati and Angelique Kerber were among those returning to the Slam that provided a significant chapter in their tennis history.

Biggest fashion statement: Naomi Osaka

Given there’s no requirement for team uniforms, tennis is famous for some memorable outfits. But the sport may have witnessed its most eye-catching fashion statement of all time with Naomi Osaka’s entrance into Rod Laver Arena for her first-round match against Antonia Ruzic.

In the words of our ausopen.com writer Felicia Arhontissas, Osaka “donned a show-stopping white wide-brimmed hat and long veil that obscured her face, ruffled white pants which swished and swept across the floor, and a white parasol she kept perched over one shoulder. Backlit by the bright stadium lights, Osaka was a vision in sports-inspired couture.”

Naomi Osaka.

Inspired by a jellyfish, this was a Nike collaboration with acclaimed designer Robert Wun and cemented Osaka – who has previously co-chaired the Met Gala – as a fashion icon in tennis.

An honourable mention goes to world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, who’s striking dress – paying homage to previous outfits worn by Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova – was accompanied by custom designed jewellery.

Best advice: Novak Djokovic to Iva Jovic

As the best-performing teen of the Australian summer, Iva Jovic showed it pays to listen to experienced predecessors. The 18-year-old American heeded the advice of long-time idol Novak Djokovic in a spectacular run to the quarterfinals in Melbourne, upsetting seventh seed Jasmine Paolini en route. 

“Just to open up the court a little bit better, to not rush into the shots all the time, find some more width,” she revealed of Djokovic’s words of wisdom. “So I tried to do that, and it ended well. I’m just going to keep listening to Novak.”

Couple goals: Maddison Inglis & Jason Kubler

Wouldn’t we all love a summer like the one Maddison Inglis and Jason Kubler experienced? From the moment they announced their engagement in December, it was all positives for the long-time tennis couple.

After representing Australia at the United Cup, they completed Australian Open singles qualifying campaigns within minutes of each other. Having saved match points in her opening qualifying match, Inglis went on to reach the fourth round of the main draw. Kubler, meanwhile, progressed to a second AO men’s doubles final alongside countryman Marc Polmans. 

In a busy but happy fortnight in Melbourne, the pair also found time to team up in mixed doubles. “He's an awesome doubles player, so I'm excited to play with him,” Inglis smiled. 

“It's not every day you get to play mixed at a Grand Slam with your fiancé.”

Coolest under pressure: Aryna Sabalenka

Last year, Sabalenka built an outstanding streak of tiebreaks won. Beginning in March, she notched 19 consecutively before Jessica Pegula finally beat her in a breaker in October.

But the streak remained alive in Grand Slam play, and Sabalenka set about extending it further at AO 2026.

In those pressure cooker moments, when sets were on a knife edge, Sabalenka was rock-solid, especially in the third round when she survived four set points in a 7-6(4) 7-6(7) victory over Anastasia Potapova at Rod Laver Arena.

On the same court in the next round, Sabalenka’s statement 6-1 7-6(1) win over emerging star Victoria Mboko meant she had surpassed Novak Djokovic with the most consecutive tiebreaks won (20) at Grand Slam tournaments in the Open era.

The last time Sabalenka lost a tiebreak at a Grand Slam tournament? Almost three years ago, in her 2023 Roland Garros semifinal defeat to Karolina Muchova.

Enduring favourite: Stan Wawrinka 

Exactly 20 years after making his main-draw debut in Melbourne, Stan Wawrinka provided one of the feel-good stories of the 2026 tournament. 

The AO 2014 champion – who, at world No.139, required a wildcard – thrilled his many supporters as he outclassed Laslo Djere before emerging triumphant in a five-set classic against qualifier Arthur Gea.

While a four-set battle with No.9 seed Taylor Fritz proved a step too far for the 40-year-old, Wawrinka had written another memorable chapter into a rich Australian Open history. 

An honourable mention, too, to the soon-to-retire Gael Monfils. At age 39, the popular Frenchman – who claimed the AO 2004 boys’ title – contested his 20th and final Australian Open.

Best interview: Jim Courier with Carlos Alcaraz

Former world No.1 and two-time AO champion Jim Courier has long had a reputation for conducting compelling on-court interviews. The fact he’s earned the respect of and rapport with players, plus his popularity with Aussie fans, is a combination that has led to some brilliant media moments for the tournament over the years.

This year, Courier interviewed eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz several times after the Spaniard’s succession of wins at Rod Laver Arena. And after Alcaraz beat Tommy Paul in the fourth round, Courier asked him about a trend he’d observed: the crowd’s reaction to Alcaraz changing his shirt courtside after matches.

“I’m just happy the people like it, I guess,” Alcaraz replied with a cheeky grin.

Courier leaned into the fun when they met again – following Alcaraz’ quarterfinal win over Alex de Minaur – and addressed the Spaniard’s penchant for racquet tricks. It led to the interview moving from its usual spot in the middle of the court, and a live demonstration from the world No.1.

Fan commitment: Saucy supporters

While it was hard to go past the ’80s and ’90s throwbacks – or the Sabalenka fans emulating the world No.1’s colourful creations – our vote for fan commitment belonged to these saucy supporters.

As we understand it, they were paying tribute to Jannik Sinner’s murky-hued AO 2026 kit, which many likened to popular condiments. While this summer’s ensemble was clearly mustard, his red Roland Garros 2025 get-up drew comparisons to tomato ketchup.

Colourful fans at Rod Laver Arena.
Best double-act: Olivia Gadecki & John Peers

Olivia Gadecki and John Peers created history at Australian Open 2026 at the same time they confirmed their status as one of the game’s premier doubles duos.

Last year, they won a thrilling final against fellow Aussie duo Kimberly Birrell and JP Smith, the first AO mixed doubles final to be contested by four Australian players since 1967. And when they repeated their victory in 2026 over French pair Kristina Mladenovic and Manuel Guinard – again in a match tiebreak – they became the first mixed doubles pair to defend their AO title since Jana Novotna and Jim Pugh in 1989.

MORE: Gadecki and Peers claim back-to-back AO mixed doubles titles

Gadecki and Peers are the first all-Australian mixed pairing to go back-to-back at their home Slam since the legendary Margaret Court and Ken Fletcher in 1964, and the first home-grown team to do so at Melbourne Park. “It's pretty incredible to be back-to-back Grand Slam winners,” Gadecki said.

“Even saying that out loud is crazy, and I'm still trying to kind of comprehend it, but it's so nice to get it at home in front of friends and family. To share this moment with Peersy is pretty incredible.”

Most astonishing number: 9

Dating back to Australian Open 2024, Alcaraz and Sinner have now combined to win the past nine Grand Slam titles.

Sinner has won four of those nine, and Alcaraz the other five – the fifth coming at AO 2026 and seeing ‘Sincaraz’ draw level with another great duopoly in Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Djokovic and Nadal won nine consecutive majors between them from 2010 to 2012 Roland Garros.

The fact Alcaraz and Sinner equalled ‘Rafole’ took on a greater significance given how it occurred – Alcaraz won the latest Grand Slam title by beating Djokovic, while Nadal watched on from the stands.

22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal took in the men's final at Rod Laver Arena, two seats to the left of Australian legend Ken Rosewall. [Getty Images]

Sinner and Alcaraz are closing in on the men’s Open-era record of 11 straight Slam titles won by a duo, held by Nadal and Roger Federer and achieved almost 20 years ago.

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