Tennis News

Harrison/Skupski lift Australian Open trophy in first major as a team

Christian Harrison and Neal Skupski did not wait long to add a milestone moment to their fledgling partnership.

Competing in just their second tour-level event together, the American-British duo defeated home favourites Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans 7-6(4), 6-4 to claim the trophy Saturday at the Australian Open. Harrison and Skupski, who made their team debut in Adelaide just two weeks ago, held their nerve at key moments in front of a raucous afternoon crowd inside Rod Laver Arena to earn a one-hour, 49-minute championship-match triumph.

There were emotional scenes between two sets of brothers after match point. Harrison celebrated securing his maiden major title with his brother Ryan Harrison, who was courtside. Meanwhile former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings Skupski, whose sole previous Grand Slam title came at Wimbledon in 2023, embraced his own brother and coach, Ken Skupski.

All the emotions 🤩@charrison94 & @nealskupski are your 2026 Australian Open Doubles Champions!

They dismissed Kubler/Polmans 7-6(4), 6-4 en route to the title.@AustralianOpen | #AO26 pic.twitter.com/G9IDvlwX1Y

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 31, 2026

“It’s obviously nice to get another Grand Slam,” said Skupski in the pair’s post-match press conference. “I was very close last year at the US Open and lost narrowly in the French. I look back on last year and kind of went over to see where it went wrong in the moments, and I learned from it.

“Christian has given me a new lease of life this year. We started obviously last week in Adelaide. He came to Baton Rouge for a week of training in December, which was amazing to get on court with him and get to know him a little bit more. It all feels well worth it now, picking up this trophy.”

Harrison said: “Unreal experience. This place is unreal to play. The crowds are incredible. For me, though, it was just simple. Just focused on just enjoying the moment with my partner. He brings a lot of experience. His level is just so high, and it really felt easy for me to just play my best tennis. So credit to him.”

Wild card pairing Kubler and Polmans battled admirably throughout the final, and they delighted the home fans by rallying from 2-5 in the opening set to force a tie-break. Yet the momentum of the match shifted dramatically after Harrison and Skupski won four consecutive points from 3/4 to move a set ahead.

The sixth-seeded Harrison and Skupski built on that tie-break success by crucially breaking serve in the third game of the second set, and they sealed victory on their second match point after Harrison fired an ace down the T.

That finish reflected how precise serving formed the foundation to Harrison and Skupski’s final victory. The duo won 80 per cent (43/54) of points behind their first serves, according to Infosys Stats.

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Alcaraz vs. Djokovic: From Houdini escapes to chasing history in Australian Open final

After producing Houdini-like escapes in the semi-finals, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are now seeking their own piece of history in Sunday’s Australian Open final. Separated by 16 years, Alcaraz and Djokovic stand on opposite ends of their career, pursuing vastly different milestones.

The 22-year-old Alcaraz is aiming to become the youngest player to complete the Career Grand Slam. In his way is the 38-year-old Djokovic, the most decorated men’s Grand Slam champion in history. The Serbian boasts as many Australian Open trophies as he does losses (10) at the season’s first major and now seeks to become the oldest champion in tournament history.

“History is on the line for both of us every time we play,” Djokovic said of his rivalry with Alcaraz. “The final of a Grand Slam, there’s a lot at stake, but it’s no different from any other big match that I play.”

The highly anticipated final also begs the question: Which player can dig into his deepest reserves and rise for one more effort? Alcaraz on Friday won the longest semi-final in tournament history, ousting last year’s finalist Alexander Zverev in a five-hour, 27-minute thriller. “We pushed our bodies to the limit,” the Spaniard said afterwards.

Meanwhile, Djokovic survived two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner after four hours and nine minutes, an instant classic that the Serbian described as “one of [my] best performances in the last decade or so”.

Who can deliver one more heroic effort?

“Biologically, I think it’s going to be a bit easier for him to recover,” Djokovic said of Alcaraz. “My preparation is as it should be, and I won against him last year here, also in a gruelling match. Let’s see how fresh we both are able to be.”

Alcaraz defeated Djokovic in their most recent encounter at last year’s US Open, yet was full of praise for the Serbian’s physicality after the match, saying “He looks 25 years old physically, so to maintain that level at 38, it’s impressive”.

The margins between Alcaraz and Djokovic have been razor thin throughout their inter-generational rivalry. Just 12 months ago, Djokovic downed Alcaraz inside Rod Laver Arena, where they will battle Sunday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. local time / 3:30 a.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. CET. Djokovic leads Alcaraz 5-4 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, but has dropped three of their five encounters at the majors.

After falling to Alcaraz in New York last September, Djokovic spoke candidly about facing Alcaraz and Sinner, who together have combined to win the past eight majors.

“It will be very difficult for me in the future to overcome the hurdle of Sinner, Alcaraz, in the best-of-five on the Grand Slams,” Djokovic admitted at the time. “I think I have a better chance at best of three, but best of five, it’s tough.”

But as Djokovic reminded on-court interviewer Jim Courier on Friday, he said it would be “difficult, but not impossible”.

With a $4,150,000 champion’s payout at stake, the showdown between Djokovic and Alcaraz promises to be a tug of war from the baseline. If last year’s clash in Melbourne is any guide, Alcaraz and Djokovic will take large cuts at the ball and lean on first-strike tennis, dictating play with ferocious hitting. Look for both players to stretch their opponent corner to corner, testing the physical capacity of their rival in the early stages.

Return points could prove decisive, potentially swinging momentum and making all the difference. In their most recent meeting, Djokovic won just 16 per cent (8/50) of his first-serve return points, less than half of what Alcaraz achieved at 34 per cent (19/56) en route to a straight-sets win.

Regardless of who wins, the record books will be rewritten.

“I look forward to it,” Djokovic said. “I play tennis competitively mainly to be able to reach the finals of Grand Slams.”

Alcaraz added: “I am really happy to play my first final in Melbourne. It was something I was chasing a lot, pursuing a lot — having the chance to fight for the title.”

THIS IS NOT A DRILL‼️@carlosalcaraz vs @DjokerNole for the 2026 Australian Open title. Who’ve you got? 🏆#AO26 pic.twitter.com/JpSXvJO0bZ

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 30, 2026

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What time is the Djokovic vs. Alcaraz Australian Open final?

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are set for a thrilling showdown in Sunday’s Australian Open final. Djokovic, 38, is seeking his record-extending 11th Melbourne crown and 25th major trophy while the 22-year-old Alcaraz aims to complete the Career Grand Slam.

When is the Australian Open final?

The final between Djokovic and top-seeded Alcaraz will begin at 7:30 p.m. local time / 3:30 a.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. CET on Sunday.

Djokovic leads Alcaraz 5-4 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, including a four-set win over the Spaniard in last year’s Australian Open quarter-finals. Alcaraz has won three of their five major meetings. Sunday will mark their third Slam final encounter, having met in the Wimbledon final in 2023 and 2024, both of which were won by Alcaraz.

Both Djokovic and Alcaraz competed in marathon semi-finals on Friday. Alcaraz overcame Alexander Zverev in a five-hour, 27-minute thriller, the longest semi-final in tournament history. Djokovic escaped two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner after four hours and nine minutes.

Read more from Melbourne:
Alcaraz outlasts Zverev in record 5h27 SF marathon
Djokovic defeats Sinner in five-set classic
Djokovic: ‘I want to thank all the doubters’
How much prize money will the champion earn?
Alcaraz vs Djokovic: The Rivalry

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5 Live Sport: All About… Australian Open

Djokovic and Alcaraz win five-set thrillers to set up a historic final on Sunday.

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Djokovic: ‘I want to thank all the doubters’

Discount Novak Djokovic at your peril.

Just when Jannik Sinner looked set to book a fourth consecutive Grand Slam final with Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open, the ageless Serbian produced a comeback for the ages to earn the chance to play for a 25th Grand Slam crown.

“I never stopped believing in myself,” said the 10-time Australian Open champion, who will play Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s final at Melbourne Park. “There’s a lot of people that doubt me. A lot of experts wanted to retire me or have retired me many times the last couple of years.

“I want to thank them all, because they gave me strength. They gave me motivation to prove them wrong, which I have tonight. For me, it’s not a surprise, to be honest.”

Djokovic rallied from two-sets-to-one down to snap a five-match losing streak against two-time defending champion Sinner, winning 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the four-hour and nine-minute thriller that finished at 1:30 a.m.

Djokovic, who said he will not practise Saturday, made the most of his good fortune to reach the semi-finals. In the fourth round he received a walkover from his Miami Open final conqueror Jakub Mensik; in the quarter-finals he trailed Lorenzo Musetti by two sets before the Italian retired with a right leg injury.

But against Sinner, an opponent 14 years his junior, Djokovic’s resilience, conviction and courage underpinned his deserving victory, in which he saved 16 of 18 break points, including all eight in the final set.

“I rate it as the best [win] of the last couple of years,” Djokovic said. “For sure, one of the best performances in the last decade or so…

“I was lucky that obviously Lorenzo got hurt and retired that match. Two days later, obviously different opponent. I knew exactly what to expect and had great clarity and strategy and game plan and what needs to be executed.

“One thing is to imagine how you want to play, and the other thing is to deliver it and execute it on the court against Sinner, that we all know is playing an extremely high level.

“I’m just thrilled to be able to experience something like this tonight.”

The victory was Djokovic’s first five-set match since Roland Garros in 2024, when he survived against Francisco Cerundolo.

Djokovic has not lifted a major trophy since the US Open in 2023, watching Alcaraz and Sinner split the eight majors during the past two years.

On Sunday, as Djokovic attempts to become the oldest Australian Open champion, 22-year-old Alcaraz seeks to become the youngest men’s player to complete the career Grand Slam.

Djokovic leads Alcaraz 5-4 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, winning three of their four hard-court meetings. But when Alcaraz broke through for his lone hard-court win in the 2025 US Open semi-finals, Djokovic candidly expressed doubts about his ability to topple the Spaniard and Sinner over five sets at the majors. He’ll now have the chance to prove himself wrong in back-to-back matches in what would be one of the most remarkable feats in his unparalleled career.

“History is on the line for both of us every time we play,” said Djokovic, who has spent a record 424 weeks at No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings during his career… My preparation is as it should be, and I won against him last year here [in the quarter-finals], also in a grueling match. Let’s see. Let’s see how fresh are we both able to be.

“He also had a big match, but he has 15, 16 years on me. You know, biologically I think it’s going to be a bit easier for him to recover.

“I’m just trying to enjoy the moment that I’m experiencing tonight. I’ll think about finals later, but for me, this is win that almost equals winning a Grand Slam.”

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How much prize money will the Australian Open champion earn?

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will meet in the Australian Open final on Sunday, following remarkable semi-final victories.

The 22-year-old Alcaraz is trying to become the youngest player to complete the Career Grand Slam, while Djokovic is aiming to capture a record-extending 25th major and 11th at the Australian Open.

Sunday’s champion will also depart Melbourne with a hefty payday. The winner will claim $4,150,000, while the runner-up will earn $2,150,000. Look below for a full prize-money breakdown of the singles field at the season’s first major.

2026 Australian Open Singles Prize Money (Men & Women)

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Djokovic steals show as Australian Open finally ignites

A slow-burning Australian Open looks set for a final weekend flourish after Novak Djokovic takes the limelight once again in Melbourne.

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Djokovic stuns Sinner in thriller to set up Alcaraz final

Novak Djokovic will meet Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final for the chance of winning a 25th Grand Slam title after winning a five-set epic against defending champion Jannik Sinner.

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Djokovic & Alcaraz win five-set epics to reach Australian Open final

Novak Djokovic will meet Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final after both players maintain their respective bids for history by coming through five-set epics on an extraordinary day in Melbourne.

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Sinner on painful Djokovic defeat: 'It hurts, for sure'

Jannik Sinner endured one of the most painful losses of his career on Friday night at the Australian Open, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in a thrilling five-set semi-final. After holding a two-sets-to-one lead, the Italian was unable to close out the match and the disappointment was evident in his post-match reflections.

“A lot,” Sinner said when asked how much the defeat hurt. “It was a very important Slam for me, of course, knowing also the background, it can happen. It was a good match from both of us. I had many chances. Couldn’t use them and that’s the outcome. It hurts, for sure.”

Sinner entered the match chasing a third consecutive Australian Open title and had beaten Djokovic in each of their previous five Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings. But on Friday night on the Rod Laver Arena, the second seed was unable to capitalise on key moments, converting just two of 18 break points against the 38-year-old Serbian, according to Infosys Stats.

“I had my chances. It was in the fifth set. Many break points, I couldn’t use them. He came up with some great shots,” Sinner said. “I decided a couple of different things. Today they didn’t work, but that’s how tennis is. I felt like also the first set was a great level from both of us. It was a bit [like] a roller coaster, and it happened like it happened today.”

Sunday will be the first time Sinner has not competed in a major final since Wimbledon in 2024, when Alcaraz defeated Djokovic. Despite the setback, the 24-year-old Sinner was full of praise for Djokovic and said the Serbian’s level came as no surprise.

“He’s won 24 Grand Slams. We know each other very well, how we play. I always said, [you can not be] surprised, because I feel like he’s the greatest player for many, many years,” Sinner said. “Of course, he’s playing less tournaments because of his age and everything, but we also know how important Grand Slams are for me, for him, for Carlos, and everyone. There is this small extra motivation, and he played great tennis. Hopefully I can take it as kind of a lesson maybe to see what I can improve on.”

Sinner will leave Melbourne No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings, the same position when he arrived. The Italian, who won more points than Djokovic in the match, is a four-time major winner.

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