Melbourne Park is buzzing with anticipation as the Australian Open 2026 main draw takes place today, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most compelling Grand Slam tournaments in recent memory. With Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka installed as the top seeds in the men's and women's draws respectively, the tournament running from January 18 to February 1 offers no shortage of storylines to captivate tennis fans worldwide.

Alcaraz, the Spanish sensation who has dominated the sport over the past few years, arrives in Melbourne with a singular mission: completing the Career Grand Slam. The Australian Open title remains the one major trophy missing from his collection, and his status as the top seed reflects his position as the man to beat on the ATP Tour. Behind him, Alexander Zverev sits as the third seed, while the evergreen Novak Djokovic, still competing at the highest level, claims the fourth seed position.

On the women's side, Aryna Sabalenka looks to add to her Grand Slam collection as the tournament's top seed. The Belarusian powerhouse has established herself as one of the most formidable players on hard courts, and Melbourne's surfaces should suit her aggressive baseline game perfectly. Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek joins Alcaraz in the pursuit of tennis immortality, as she too chases the Career Grand Slam that would cement her legacy among the all-time greats.

Yet the storyline that has captured the imagination of the sporting world belongs to Serena Williams. At 45 years old, the 23-time Grand Slam champion has accepted a wildcard to compete in Melbourne, returning to the Australian Open after a five-year absence. Her participation makes her the oldest woman to compete in an Australian Open main draw, a testament to her enduring love for the sport and her remarkable physical resilience. Whether Williams can mount a serious challenge for the title remains to be seen, but her mere presence adds an unmistakable electricity to the fortnight ahead.

The tournament has not been without its setbacks. Britain's Jack Draper, ranked 10th in the world and one of the most improved players on tour, has been forced to withdraw due to injury. His absence removes a genuine title contender from the draw and represents a significant blow for British tennis fans who had hoped to see him challenge for a maiden Grand Slam title.

Adding a touch of Australian tennis royalty to proceedings, 17-year-old Cruz Hewitt is competing in the qualifying draw. The son of former world number one and two-time Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt, young Cruz carries the weight of his family name as he attempts to forge his own path in professional tennis. His presence serves as a reminder of the sport's generational cycles and the enduring appeal of the Hewitt legacy in Australian tennis.

With record prize money of AUD $111.5 million up for grabs, the stakes have never been higher at Melbourne Park. As the draw unfolds today, players and fans alike will begin mapping out potential paths to glory, calculating possible matchups and dreaming of lifting the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup or the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup on the first day of February. The Australian summer of tennis is officially here, and it promises to be unforgettable.