The Athletic ’s tennis team, Matthew Futterman, Charlie Eccleshare and James Hansen, present their takeaways from the first Grand Slam of 2026, from the best shots and funniest moments to the biggest disappointments and the most incredible matches.

Elena Rybakina is the queen of Melbourne. Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the 2026 Australian Open women's final.

MELBOURNE, Australia -- The extreme nervous tension. The adrenalin. Elena Rybakina felt it all as she stood at the baseline on match point, relying on one of the best tools at her disposal to clinch the Australian Open title.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz thinks he might get a small kangaroo tattooed on one leg. It would be a lasting memento of his win over Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open men's final Sunday which made him the youngest male player at 22 to complete a career Grand Slam.

Elena Rybakina won the second grand slam title of her tennis career by claiming this year’s Australian Open with a thrilling 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory over World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final. With this win,

Jennifer Capriati made her long-awaited return to the Australian Open after 23 years away from the tournament. Capriati retired from tennis in 2004, but she had not competed at the Australian Open since 2003.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Slovenian Ziga Sesko lifted his game after a shaky first set to beat favored American Keaton Hanse 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday in the junior boys final at the Australian Open.