(Getty/Brett Hemmings) It was the traditional media day at Melbourne Park yesterday, a chance for journalists to ask the first questions of the new year to a bunch of players. There were numerous press conferences, and a great deal of information to digest. The First Serve selects a bunch of highlights of what was said around the pressers in the lead-up to the Australian Open. The One-Point Slam was front of mind, and the players seemed to embrace it unanimously. Iga Swiatek

(Getty/Andy Cheung) Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz has poured cold water on suggestions that his shock coaching split will act as a distraction ahead of his Australian Open campaign, sharing that the decision was mutual. Former French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, who helped Alcaraz win all six of Alcaraz's Grand Slam titles, sensationally parted ways as coach last month. In an interview with Spanish outlet Marca, Ferrero admitted he was "very hurt" about the situation

(AAP/James Ross) When Storm Hunter ruptured her Achilles just days before Australia's BJK Cup qualifier against Mexico in April 2024, the road to recovery was always going to pose a challenge. So when the 31-year-old defeated American and former world No.1 doubles player Taylor Townsend 7-6(2), 6-2 to qualify for the Australian Open main draw, it was only natural that she dropped to the court with tears streaming down her face. "I just felt like I had unfinished business. I

(Andy Cheung/Getty Images) Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) is excited to announce its most comprehensive broadccast coverage yet of the 2026 Australian Open, bringing every serve, rally and match defining moment to tennis fans across Australia and beyond. Broadcasting live from the heart of Melbourne Park, SEN's coverage will originate from its commentary bunker at Rod Laver Arena, offering listeners unmatched access and insights into the tournament. The action kicks off o

(Getty/Graham Denholm) The 2026 Australian Open draw has delivered some favourable matchups for the Aussies, but a nightmare scenario has become a reality for the country's main hope. Aussie men's first round matches: [6] Alex de Minaur v Matteo Berrettini Alexei Popyrin v Alexandre Müller Adam Walton v [1] Carlos Alcaraz Aleksandar Vukic v Thiago Tirante Tristan Schoolkate v [32] Corentin Moutet [WC] Jordan Thompson v Juan Manuel Cerúndolo [WC] Christopher O'Connell v Qualif

(Getty/Albert Perez) Former world No.8 Daria Kasatkina says that players "have no say" when it comes to the WTA's controversial business dealings with Saudi Arabia. The Middle-Eastern nation has taken the sporting world by storm over the past few years, including tennis where in April 2024, the WTA announced it had struck a three-year deal with Riyadh to host the WTA Finals until 2026. On the men's side, the ATP will introduce a 10th Masters, starting from the 2028 calendar,

A packed crowd watches on at ANZ Arena on Day 1 of Australian Open qualifying. (The First Serve) Known for smashing records every year, the 2026 Australian Open has already started with a bang. On Monday, the first day of qualifying, 29,261 fans attended Melbourne Park, surpassing the previous record of 7,543. With stadiums almost packed to the brim, it highlights how far the Australian Open has come in recent years, with countless new additions to 'Opening Week' such as live

(Getty/Brett Hemmings) After two heartbreaking losses in the final in 2023 and 2024, Team Poland has finally sealed victory in the United Cup, with Hubert Hurkacz and the doubles team of Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zieliński winning their matches to give Poland the win over Switzerland.   In the first match, Belinda Bencic took on Iga Świątek, with the Polish star taking the first set before Bencic fought back with vengeance to take the second set 6-0. Bencic kept the momentum in

Aryna Sabalenka kisses the Brisbane trophy for the second straight year. (Getty/Albert Perez) The second Sunday of the Australian summer of tennis meant one thing: finals day. There were five titles up for grabs on the ATP and WTA Tours, with preparations for the 2026 Australian Open now in full swing. Aryna Sabalenka goes back-to-back in Brisbane Appearing in the WTA 500 Brisbane final for the third straight season, Pat Rafter Arena has always been a happy hunting ground for

Team Poland takes a celebratory selfie after reaching the United Cup final. (Getty/Robert Prange) Switzerland and Poland have won their semi-final ties in the United Cup against Belgium and the USA respectively, with both ties being decided in thrilling mixed doubles matches to set up a blockbuster showdown.   In the day session, Switzerland played Belgium in stifling heat, which peaked at 43 degrees at Sydney Olympic Park as the teams struggled, even with play moved half an

(Getty/Brendon Thorne) A dominant performance from Iga Świątek and an incredible doubles performance from Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zieliński have propelled Poland to a 2-1 victory over Australia, despite the efforts of Alex de Minaur, who played some of his best tennis to defeat Hubert Hurkacz in one of the matches of the tournament.   In the first rubber of the evening, Maya Joint was no match for the experience and power of Świątek, with Poland taking the first match 6-1, 6

Hajar Abdelkadar went viral for all the wrong reasons after her display at an ITF W35 event. A statement from Tennis Kenya has clarified a bizarre wildcard handed to Egyptian player Hajar Abdelkader, who went viral after winning just three points during an ITF match. The 21-year-old served 20 double faults in a 0-6, 0-6 defeat lasting 37 minutes at an event in Nairobi, Kenya, leaving the tennis world stunned as to how she was accepted as a wildcard. "Tennis Kenya is aware of

(Getty/Robert Prange) Australia will aim to carry their unbeaten streak at the United Cup into the knockouts when they take on two-time runners-up Poland in Sydney on Friday night.   Maya Joint will have an enormous task as she takes on Iga Świątek first up before Alex de Minaur takes on the in-form Hubert Hurkacz, who has not dropped a set in his matches against Alexander Zverev and Tallon Griekspoor. HEAD has partnered with the Kooyong Classic for 2026. HEAD will be on-sit

(Getty/Izhar Khan) Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin have elected not to take the trip to Ecuador for Davis Cup, with Lleyton Hewitt revealing a line-up of Aleksandar Vukic, Jordan Thompson, Rinky Hijikata, James Duckworth and Thanasi Kokkinakis.   "Over the last month, I've been in constant communication with Lleyton. I have decided that with the issues that my body has given me throughout last year, it was smartest to kind of just sit this one out. I'm definitely going to b

(Getty/Andy Cheung) Fighting off a crushing defeat to Casper Ruud, Alex de Minaur returned to form to lead Australia to a 2-1 victory over Czechia, with a dominant victory over prodigy Jakub Menšík and an engrossing win in mixed doubles alongside the hero of the first tie, Storm Hunter.   After Canada's shock loss to Belgium and Poland’s 3-0 victory over Germany, the Australians knew they had to win their tie to qualify for the knockouts, as their win percentage would not be

(Getty/Kym Illman) The Professional Tennis Players' Association (PTPA) claim they are "targets of a coordinated defamation" after Novak Djokovic opted to step down from the Board. Djokovic and former Canadian player Vasek Pospisil co-founded the player-led council in August 2020, in a bid to better protect player welfare and interests. HEAD has partnered with the Kooyong Classic for 2026. HEAD will be on-site with all their latest products, including the launch of the new Rev

Thanasi Kokkinakis couldn't hold back tears in his on-court interview with Nick Kyrgios. (Stan Sport) Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis were required to dig deep to come back from a set down in their opening doubles match at the Brisbane International. The popular pair were broken once throughout the match against Aussie Matthew Ebden and American Rajeev Ram, who also dropped serve once, yet it was the all-Aussie duo who prevailed 5-7, 6-4, 10-8 at Pat Rafter Arena. HEAD ha

(Getty/Antony Dickson) There are grave fears that 2024 US Open finalist Taylor Fritz will be forced out of action for a substantial period after the same injury problem occurred in his shock defeat at the United Cup. Fritz, who is the top-ranked American male competing for the defending champions, suffered a 6-4, 5-7, 4-6 loss at the hands of Argentina's Sebastián Báez at Perth's RAC Arena on Saturday night. HEAD has partnered with the Kooyong Classic for 2026. HEAD will be o

(Getty/Andy Cheung) Storm Hunter has pulled off one of the best performances of her career to single-handedly lead Australia to victory over Norway in a late-night classic, which finished past midnight in front of a capacity crowd at Ken Rosewall Arena.   The Aussies were on the back foot from the start, with Maya Joint ruled out due to illness and Maddison Inglis also under the weather, so Hunter, who has primarily played doubles since returning from a horrific Achilles inju

(Getty/Daniel Pockett) Former world No.1 Daniil Medvedev has sent a warning to Australian Open organisers by calling for primetime matches to begin one hour earlier. At the last Australian Open, Medvedev was knocked out in the opening round by Learner Tien after finishing at 2:54am. In 2024, he survived from two sets down in the second round, as the classic match concluded at 3:40am. HEAD has partnered with the Kooyong Classic for 2026. HEAD will be on-site with all their lat