The summer of tennis is nearly upon Australia with the period culminating in the Australian Open grand slam.

As beautiful, warm weather sweeps through Melbourne, tennis is the number one sport in town as the world’s best players duke it out.

Can Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys defend their singles titles?

The Sporting News explains the schedule for the Australian Open 2026.

MORE: Australian Open 2026 wildcards: Which players have secured main draw entry?

Australian Open dates: Start time for main draw, qualifying

The Australian Open singles main draw matches for men’s and women’s commences on Sunday, January 18 at 11:00 AM (AEDT).

However, the qualifying for the men’s and women’s singles main draw will start on Monday, January 12 and be completed on Thursday, January 15.

Australian Open 2026 singles scheduleDaySessionDateTime (AEDT)Feature Matches1DaySun, January 1811:00 AMMen’s and Women’s 1st Round1NightSun, January 187:00 PMMen’s and Women’s 1st Round2DayMon, January 1911:00 AMMen’s and Women’s 1st Round2NightMon, January 197:00 PMMen’s and Women’s 1st Round3DayTues, January 2011:00 AMMen’s and Women’s 1st Round3NightTues, January 207:00 PMMen’s and Women’s 1st Round4DayWed, January 2111:00 AMMen’s and Women’s 2nd Round4NightWed, January 217:00 PMMen’s and Women’s 2nd Round5DayThurs, January 2211:00 AMMen’s and Women’s 2nd Round5NightThurs, January 227:00 PMMen’s and Women’s 2nd Round6DayFri, January 2311:00 AMMen’s and Women’s 3rd Round6NightFri, January 237:00 PMMen’s and Women’s 3rd Round7DaySat, January 2411:00 AMMen’s and Women’s 3rd Round7NightSat, January 247:00 PMMen’s and Women’s 3rd Round8DaySun, January 2511:00 AMMen’s and Women’s 4th Round8NightSun, January 257:00 PMMen’s and Women’s 4th Round9DayMon, January 2611:00 AMMen’s and Women’s 4th Round9NightMon, January 267:00 PMMen’s and Women’s 4th Round10DayTues, January 2711:00 AMMen’s and Women’s Quarterfinals10NightTues, January 277:00 PMMen’s and Women’s Quarterfinals11DayWed, January 2811:00 AMMen’s and Women’s Quarterfinals11NightWed, January 287:00 PMMen’s and Women’s Quarterfinals12TwilightThurs, January 2911:00 AMWomen’s Semifinals13DayFri, January 3012:00 PMMen’s Semifinal13NightFri, January 307:30 PMMen’s Semifinal14TwilightSat, January 317:30 PMWomen’s Final15TwilightSun, February 17:30 PMMen’s Final