The 2026 Australian Open dazzles with top seeds Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff advancing smoothly to the third round, while Carlos Alcaraz also triumphs in a tough match to secure his spot.
Emma Raducanu's promising campaign took a hit as she suffered a surprising exit in the second round, marked by a flurry of unforced errors, prompting reflections on her future in the sport.
In a historic moment, 45-year-old Venus Williams set the record as the oldest woman to compete in the tournament before a heartbreaking first-round loss, erasing a 4-0 lead in the third set.
The extreme heat in Melbourne has affected both players and ball kids, leading to concerning incidents where young helpers collapsed on court during matches.
Emerging talent Arthur Fery stunned the crowd by upsetting the 20th seed, Flavio Cobolli, showcasing the fresh faces making their mark in the competition.
The tournament also stirs political sentiments, highlighted by Sabalenka's response to calls for a ban on Russian and Belarusian players, revealing the complex interplay between sports and current events.