Inspired by a jellyfish, this was a Nike collaboration with acclaimed designer Robert Wun and cemented Osaka – who has previously co-chaired the Met Gala – as a fashion icon in tennis.
An honourable mention goes to world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, who’s striking dress – paying homage to previous outfits worn by Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova – was accompanied by custom designed jewellery.
Best advice: Novak Djokovic to Iva Jovic
As the best-performing teen of the Australian summer, Iva Jovic showed it pays to listen to experienced predecessors. The 18-year-old American heeded the advice of long-time idol Novak Djokovic in a spectacular run to the quarterfinals in Melbourne, upsetting seventh seed Jasmine Paolini en route.
“Just to open up the court a little bit better, to not rush into the shots all the time, find some more width,” she revealed of Djokovic’s words of wisdom. “So I tried to do that, and it ended well. I’m just going to keep listening to Novak.”
Couple goals: Maddison Inglis & Jason Kubler
Wouldn’t we all love a summer like the one Maddison Inglis and Jason Kubler experienced? From the moment they announced their engagement in December, it was all positives for the long-time tennis couple.
After representing Australia at the United Cup, they completed Australian Open singles qualifying campaigns within minutes of each other. Having saved match points in her opening qualifying match, Inglis went on to reach the fourth round of the main draw. Kubler, meanwhile, progressed to a second AO men’s doubles final alongside countryman Marc Polmans.
Engaged last month, #AO26 the next 🎉
Maddy Inglis & Jason Kubler qualified for the main draw within minutes of each other this week.@wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/e2gR9JbVFq
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2026
In a busy but happy fortnight in Melbourne, the pair also found time to team up in mixed doubles. “He’s an awesome doubles player, so I’m excited to play with him,” Inglis smiled.
“It’s not every day you get to play mixed at a Grand Slam with your fiancé.”
Coolest under pressure: Aryna Sabalenka
Last year, Sabalenka built an outstanding streak of tiebreaks won. Beginning in March, she notched 19 consecutively before Jessica Pegula finally beat her in a breaker in October.
But the streak remained alive in Grand Slam play, and Sabalenka set about extending it further at AO 2026.
In those pressure cooker moments, when sets were on a knife edge, Sabalenka was rock-solid, especially in the third round when she survived four set points in a 7-6(4) 7-6(7) victory over Anastasia Potapova at Rod Laver Arena.
On the same court in the next round, Sabalenka’s statement 6-1 7-6(1) win over emerging star Victoria Mboko meant she had surpassed Novak Djokovic with the most consecutive tiebreaks won (20) at Grand Slam tournaments in the Open era.
I’m upset right now 😡>🐆
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 25, 2026
The last time Sabalenka lost a tiebreak at a Grand Slam tournament? Almost three years ago, in her 2023 Roland Garros semifinal defeat to Karolina Muchova.
Enduring favourite: Stan Wawrinka
Exactly 20 years after making his main-draw debut in Melbourne, Stan Wawrinka provided one of the feel-good stories of the 2026 tournament.
The AO 2014 champion – who, at world No.139, required a wildcard – thrilled his many supporters as he outclassed Laslo Djere before emerging triumphant in a five-set classic against qualifier Arthur Gea.
STAN. WAWRINKA. 👏
The Swiss legend defeats Arthur Gea in a blockbuster five set thriller to advance to R3! 🇨🇭@stanwawrinka • @wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/Mkrbv9edtN
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2026
While a four-set battle with No.9 seed Taylor Fritz proved a step too far for the 40-year-old, Wawrinka had written another memorable chapter into a rich Australian Open history.
An honourable mention, too, to the soon-to-retire Gael Monfils. At age 39, the popular Frenchman – who claimed the AO 2004 boys’ title – contested his 20th and final Australian Open.
Best interview: Jim Courier with Carlos Alcaraz
Former world No.1 and two-time AO champion Jim Courier has long had a reputation for conducting compelling on-court interviews. The fact he’s earned the respect of and rapport with players, plus his popularity with Aussie fans, is a combination that has led to some brilliant media moments for the tournament over the years.
This year, Courier interviewed eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz several times after the Spaniard’s succession of wins at Rod Laver Arena. And after Alcaraz beat Tommy Paul in the fourth round, Courier asked him about a trend he’d observed: the crowd’s reaction to Alcaraz changing his shirt courtside after matches.
“I’m just happy the people like it, I guess,” Alcaraz replied with a cheeky grin.
Courier leaned into the fun when they met again – following Alcaraz’ quarterfinal win over Alex de Minaur – and addressed the Spaniard’s penchant for racquet tricks. It led to the interview moving from its usual spot in the middle of the court, and a live demonstration from the world No.1.
Fan commitment: Saucy supporters
While it was hard to go past the ’80s and ’90s throwbacks – or the Sabalenka fans emulating the world No.1’s colourful creations – our vote for fan commitment belonged to these saucy supporters.
As we understand it, they were paying tribute to Jannik Sinner’s murky-hued AO 2026 kit, which many likened to popular condiments. While this summer’s ensemble was clearly mustard, his red Roland Garros 2025 get-up drew comparisons to tomato ketchup.