Stars gear up for the 2026 Australian Open
- Sean A' Hearn
January 14, 2026
The tennis world is abuzz as top players from both the men's and women's circuits arrive in Melbourne, with several stars taking to the Rod Laver Arena for open practice sessions. For fans eager to catch a glimpse of their favorite athletes, these sessions offer a unique insight into their preparation and strategy.
One standout performer was Carlos Alcaraz, the world No.1 and U.S. Open champion. Alcaraz, known for his entertaining style, showcased his famous muscles in a Lebron James Lakers jersey. However, this year, he's stepping onto the court without his longtime coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, who parted ways in December. Samuel Lopez, previously an assistant coach, has now taken on the role of lead coach, guiding Alcaraz towards a tactical overhaul.
The new strategy aims to transform Alcaraz's game into a more aggressive baseline style, with increased net approaches and an improved serve. This shift, Alcaraz explained, is a result of analyzing recent losses and seeking fresh tactical variety. "I need to add new weapons to stay ahead," he said.
Alcaraz's relaxed demeanor during practice suggests he's prepared to tackle the challenge of completing the career slam and preventing Jannik Sinner from achieving a third successive Australian Open title.
Sinner, the defending AO champion and world No.2, displayed a typically nonchalant attitude during an all-Italian practice session with Flavio Cobolli. Despite retirement rumors, Darren Cahill remains part of Sinner's coaching team for AO 2026, having made a pact to stay on after Sinner's Wimbledon victory. Simone Vagnozzi also continues to play a pivotal role in the team's efforts to defend the AO crown and reclaim the No.1 ranking from Alcaraz.
Sinner's coaching team has implemented tactical adjustments to enhance the unpredictability of his tennis, especially after his defeat to Alcaraz in the 2025 US Open final. Acknowledging his predictability post-loss, Sinner embraced the short-term challenges of becoming a more versatile player.
"I'm going to aim to maybe even lose some matches from now on, but trying to do some changes, trying to be a bit more unpredictable as a player," he said. "I think that's what I have to do, trying to become a better tennis player. At the end of the day, that's my main goal."
Sinner's core game remains rooted in the baseline, but he's enriching his repertoire with drop shots, net approaches, and slices.
Aryna Sabalenka, another player seeking variety, was the first big name to practice at the renowned Rod Laver Arena. She was notably working on her slice backhand, aiming to add nuance to her powerful game. This focus on slice backhand and drop shots was evident in her improved performance in 2025.
Sabalenka, an aggressive baseliner, has made adding different tactics to her arsenal a key focus heading into AO 2026, which she addressed after winning the Brisbane International.
Novak Djokovic, the 10-time AO champion, is another player who prefers to stick to his winning formula. Despite the crowd's anticipation, Djokovic drew the biggest crowd of the day, entering the Rod Laver Arena to a roar of approval. However, he hasn't won a major in two years since Sinner and Alcaraz emerged as the new duopoly at the top of men's tennis.
Djokovic's last official match was in early November, against Lorenzo Musetti in the final of the Hellenic Championship. Despite his age, Djokovic remains a force to be reckoned with, as evidenced by his self-assured response to questions about retirement following his title win in Greece.
"Of course, I've thought about [retirement] a few times, but in the end, I decided to simply play my way, to play where I want to play, not where others think I should," he said.
His practice sessions at Rod Laver Arena showcase his unwavering motivation to win an 11th Australian Open and a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, with experience on his side.
