Melbourne hosts the first Grand Slam of the season, a fortnight where the hard courts demand clean timing and relentless fitness. The Australian Open packs the calendar's biggest draw, 128-player fields for both ATP and WTA, inside a three-week window that often sets the year's tone. Prize money sits at $56.7M.

The spotlight falls on the defending champions. Jannik Sinner targets back-to-back Melbourne titles, while Aryna Sabalenka pushes for a third straight crown in Australia. Novak Djokovic returns for a record 25th major. From 12 to 26 January, expect heat, long rallies and scores that swing late.