https://www.scmp.com/rss/511583/feed The Australian Open is staged at Melbourne Park in Melbourne every January. Played on a hard court, it is the first of four annual grand slam tournaments, the others being the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Carlos Alcaraz swept past Novak Djokovic to win his first Australian Open on Sunday and become the youngest man to complete a career grand slam, denying the Serbian great an unprecedented 25th major. The Spaniard was imperious after a slow start in dismissing the 38-year-old, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena to claim a seventh Slam title and cement himself as undisputed world number one. In doing so, he became the youngest man in the Open era to win all four majors, adding to his two titles... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3342008/australian-open-alcaraz-beats-djokovic-mens-final-completes-career-grand-slam?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3342008/australian-open-alcaraz-beats-djokovic-mens-final-completes-career-grand-slam?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Feb 2026 12:00:37 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press In a moment of exhaustion and elation, Novak Djokovic recognised Margaret Court in the crowd and thanked her for staying up so late to watch him get within a single victory of becoming the most decorated tennis player of all time. The 83-year-old Court was among the VIPs at Rod Laver Arena for Djokovic’s epic five-set win over two-time defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner in a gruelling semi-final that ended after 1.30am on Saturday. For now, they share the all-time record of 24... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341944/novak-djokovic-carlos-alcaraz-have-tennis-history-their-sights-australian-open-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341944/novak-djokovic-carlos-alcaraz-have-tennis-history-their-sights-australian-open-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:17 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Elena Rybakina took revenge over world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka to win a nail-biting Australian Open final on Saturday and clinch her second grand slam title. The big-serving Kazakh fifth seed held her nerve to pull through 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne in two hours 18 minutes. It was payback after the Belarusian Sabalenka won the 2023 final between two of the hardest hitters in women’s tennis. The ice-cool Rybakina, 26, who was born in Moscow, adds her Melbourne triumph to her... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341952/ice-cool-rybakina-gets-revenge-over-sabalenka-tense-australian-open-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341952/ice-cool-rybakina-gets-revenge-over-sabalenka-tense-australian-open-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jan 2026 11:39:12 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Elise Mertens marked her return to the No 1 ranking in women’s doubles by combining with China’s Zhang Shuai to win the Australian Open title on Saturday. Mertens and Zhang trailed 3-0 and 4-1 in the first set but rallied to beat Anna Danilina of Kazakhstan and Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic 7-6, 6-4. Mertens and Zhang led the final set 5-0 before withstanding a comeback attempt when Danilina and Krunic won four straight games. Currently ranked No 6 in doubles, Mertens, who won the Wimbledon doubles... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341921/elise-mertens-and-zhang-shuai-win-australian-open-womens-doubles-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341921/elise-mertens-and-zhang-shuai-win-australian-open-womens-doubles-title?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jan 2026 04:00:35 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Novak Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final after stunning reigning two-time champion Jannik Sinner early on Saturday in a five-set marathon to move to the brink of history. The 38-year-old Serb rolled back the years to battle past Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a 1.32am finish in Melbourne and plays top seed Alcaraz in Sunday’s title decider. If he beats a player 16 years younger, Djokovic would win an all-time record 25th grand slam crown. Alcaraz defied fitness... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341891/australian-open-djokovic-meet-alcaraz-melbourne-final-after-five-set-marathon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341891/australian-open-djokovic-meet-alcaraz-melbourne-final-after-five-set-marathon?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:09:16 +0000 Associated Press,Agence France-Presse Associated Press,Agence France-Presse Carlos Alcaraz overcame cramps and injury to fend off Alexander Zverev in an epic, momentum-swinging five-setter Friday to become the youngest man in the Open era to reach the finals of all four grand slam events. At 22, he is aiming to be the youngest man to complete a career grand slam. He reached his first Australian Open final the hard way, winning 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5 in 5 hours, 27 minutes. That is despite being two points away in the third set from a semi-final victory in a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341848/carlos-alcaraz-fends-alexander-zverev-epic-australian-open-semi-final-match?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341848/carlos-alcaraz-fends-alexander-zverev-epic-australian-open-semi-final-match?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jan 2026 09:44:25 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Teenager Kai Thompson said he did not feel he had missed out after his first Australian Open Junior Championships came to an abrupt end on Friday, when he lost a one-set lead and crashed out in the quarter-finals. Having advanced to the last eight without dropping a set, following wins over opponents from Greece, Australia and Romania, the Hongkonger faced Kazakhstan’s Zangar Nurlanuly for a place in the semi-finals. But despite taking an early lead, Thompson eventually lost 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 in two... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3341763/hongkonger-kai-thompsons-australian-open-adventure-ends-junior-quarter-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3341763/hongkonger-kai-thompsons-australian-open-adventure-ends-junior-quarter-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jan 2026 03:47:25 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Novak Djokovic knows all too well the mountain he must scale to capture an elusive record 25th grand slam crown, but the Serbian great is not ready to “walk out with a white flag” just yet. The 38-year-old was gifted passage into an Australian Open semi-final showdown with Jannik Sinner after Lorenzo Musetti retired hurt when in complete control of their last-eight clash, 6-4, 6-3, 1-3. It followed a free ride through the fourth round when Jakub Mensik withdrew without a ball being hit. His... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341680/novak-djokovic-faces-tough-test-against-jannik-sinner-bid-reach-australian-open-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341680/novak-djokovic-faces-tough-test-against-jannik-sinner-bid-reach-australian-open-final?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 23:00:09 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Associated Press Agence France-Presse,Associated Press Elena Rybakina battled past Jessica Pegula into her second Australian Open final on Thursday with the fifth seed setting up a repeat of her 2023 title match against Aryna Sabalenka. Kazakhstan’s Rybakina, who is targeting a second grand slam crown, downed the American sixth seed 6-3, 7-6 in a one-hour, 40-minute arm-wrestle on Rod Laver Arena and has yet to drop a set all tournament. She missed three match points on Pegula’s serve, then was broken twice while serving for the match. In the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341730/australian-open-rybakina-sabalenka-win-comfortably-set-rematch-2023-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341730/australian-open-rybakina-sabalenka-win-comfortably-set-rematch-2023-final?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:03:02 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport China’s Zhang Shuai has reached the final of the women’s doubles of the Australian Open, partnering Belgium’s Elise Mertens to a 6-3, 6-2 win over Ena Shibahara of Japan and Russian Vera Zvonareva in the semi-finals on Thursday. The fourth-seeded pair will face seventh seeds Aleksandra Krunic of Serbia and Anna Danilina of Kazakhstan in the final on Saturday. Krunic and Danilina beat the fifth seeds, Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani of Brazil, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4 in the other... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341691/chinas-zhang-shuai-partners-elise-mertens-reach-womens-doubles-australian-open-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341691/chinas-zhang-shuai-partners-elise-mertens-reach-womens-doubles-australian-open-final?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:05:00 +0000 Reuters Reuters Iga Swiatek and Novak Djokovic joined a growing chorus of players demanding more privacy off the courts at the Australian Open after cameras captured Coco Gauff in a post-match meltdown that the American said should have been a personal ‌moment. After Gauff’s 59-minute quarter-final defeat by Elina Svitolina, the frustrated American retreated behind a wall near the match call area deep in the bowels of the stadium ‍to repeatedly smash her racquet on the ground. Unbeknown to the third seed,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341572/swiatek-joins-calls-player-privacy-australian-open-are-we-animals-zoo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341572/swiatek-joins-calls-player-privacy-australian-open-are-we-animals-zoo?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:00:15 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Novak Djokovic admitted he got lucky after opponent Lorenzo Musetti retired hurt on Wednesday to send him into his 13th Australian Open semi-final and a showdown with reigning champion Jannik Sinner, who called the Serbian great “an inspiration”. Earlier on day 11 in Melbourne, Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina both won in straight sets and will meet for a place in the final. In the women’s doubles, China’s Zhang Shuai and Belgian partner Elise Mertens beat Eri Hozumi of Japan and Wu Fang-hsien... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341519/australian-open-pegula-beats-anisimova-reach-semis-rybakina-foils-swiateks-grand-plans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341519/australian-open-pegula-beats-anisimova-reach-semis-rybakina-foils-swiateks-grand-plans?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jan 2026 07:07:21 +0000 Associated Press,Agence France-Presse Associated Press,Agence France-Presse Carlos Alcaraz warned he was improving all the time as he swept into his maiden Australian Open semi-final on Tuesday and a clash with Alexander Zverev, while Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina stunned third seed Coco Gauff to face Aryna Sabalenka in the last four. And China’s remaining player in the main draw, Zhang Shuai, is into the quarter-finals of the women’s doubles, partnering Belgium’s Elise Mertens to beat Hailey Baptiste and Peyton Stearns of the US 6-4, 6-3. The fourth-seeded pair will now... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341383/australian-open-zverev-keeps-his-cool-see-rising-star-tien-sabalenka-beats-jovic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341383/australian-open-zverev-keeps-his-cool-see-rising-star-tien-sabalenka-beats-jovic?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 07:40:21 +0000 Agencies Agencies Jannik Sinner sent an Australian Open statement in rolling into the quarter-finals on Monday but fellow champion Madison Keys was dethroned. Amanda Anisimova swept past China’s unseeded Wang Xinyu and will face fellow American Jessica Pegula. Fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti battled stifling conditions to set up a last-eight showdown with Novak Djokovic, and six-time major champion Iga Swiatek progressed in rampant fashion. Melbourne Park king Djokovic was supposed to face the 20-year-old Jakub Mensik... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341223/australian-open-wang-loses-anisimova-4th-round-pegula-beats-defending-champion-keys?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341223/australian-open-wang-loses-anisimova-4th-round-pegula-beats-defending-champion-keys?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jan 2026 05:52:31 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Carlos Alcaraz powered into the Australian Open quarter-finals on Sunday and Novak Djokovic joined him without hitting a ball, as the next generation roared. Aryna Sabalenka surged through but Coco Gauff was forced to fight at Melbourne Park, where temperatures eased to 22 degrees Celsius after the brutal heat of a day earlier. Top seed Alcaraz was in ominous touch at Rod Laver Arena, dismissing the American Tommy Paul 7-6, 6-4, 7-5 in a masterclass. The 22-year-old plays home hope and sixth... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341154/australian-open-alcaraz-has-djokovic-his-case-sabalenka-faces-hot-teen-prospect?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341154/australian-open-alcaraz-has-djokovic-his-case-sabalenka-faces-hot-teen-prospect?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Jan 2026 08:30:13 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse China’s Wang Xinyu made it to the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time on a day Novak Djokovic became the first player to win 400 grand slam matches, Naomi Osaka pulled out injured and Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka bowed out of Melbourne Park. On a dramatic Saturday on and off court, reigning champions Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys moved into the last 16, as did 10-time winner Djokovic. Two-time champion Osaka was supposed to be in action in the third round but pulled out hours... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341091/australian-open-suspends-play-due-extreme-heat-jannik-sinner-forced-stop-match?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341091/australian-open-suspends-play-due-extreme-heat-jannik-sinner-forced-stop-match?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Jan 2026 05:07:17 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Reuters Agence France-Presse,Reuters Fast-rising Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko has been racking up a lot of firsts in recent months – including winning the Hong Kong Open – with a clash against the top seed on centre court at a grand slam tournament only the latest. The 19-year-old came through a gripping battle with Denmark’s Clara Tauson 7-6, 5-7, 6-3 on Friday to make the last 16 on her Australian Open debut. It set up a blockbuster showdown on Sunday with world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka – who beat Russian-born Anastasia Potapova... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3340965/australian-open-hong-kong-champ-victoria-mboko-books-sabalenka-clash-alcaraz-gauff-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3340965/australian-open-hong-kong-champ-victoria-mboko-books-sabalenka-clash-alcaraz-gauff-win?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Jan 2026 07:30:34 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Reuters Agence France-Presse,Reuters Two-time reigning champion Jannik Sinner wasted no time in barrelling into the Australian Open third round with a demolition of home player James Duckworth on Thursday, as nature-lover Novak Djokovic strolled through and an erratic Madison Keys did enough to keep her title defence on track. Three players from China were in action on day five. Wang Xinyu made it to the third round of the Open for the first time, but Jerry Shang Juncheng missed out on the chance of joining her and facing Djokovic... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3340802/australian-open-chinas-wang-xinyu-third-round-first-time-djokovic-keys-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3340802/australian-open-chinas-wang-xinyu-third-round-first-time-djokovic-keys-win?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Jan 2026 06:48:49 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Reuters Agence France-Presse,Reuters Top seed Aryna Sabalenka called her Australian Open record “crazy and surreal” after beating tricky Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan to reach the third round, while six-time grand slam winner Carlos Alcaraz was put through his paces by a German journeyman before swatting him aside on Wednesday. A near-flawless Coco Gauff also surged through as three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev also stayed alive, though he needed four sets to keep his grand slam dream on track at a cooler and overcast Melbourne... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3340669/australian-open-gauff-shines-alcaraz-does-it-harder-sabalenka-beats-chinese-qualifier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3340669/australian-open-gauff-shines-alcaraz-does-it-harder-sabalenka-beats-chinese-qualifier?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 07:15:15 +0000 Agencies Agencies In the last match of the day in the first round at the Australian Open, former world number one Naomi Osaka emerged at Rod Laver Arena and stole the show clutching a white parasol and wearing a matching wide-brimmed hat and veil. The 28-year-old from Japan is well known for her on- and off-court fashion statements. She wore her latest outfit as she came out for her night match against Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic on Tuesday. She waved regally to the crowd and the four-time grand slam champion then... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3340589/australian-open-chinas-wang-xinyu-wu-yibing-progress-second-round-sinner-strolls?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3340589/australian-open-chinas-wang-xinyu-wu-yibing-progress-second-round-sinner-strolls?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:25:57 +0000 Xinhua,Agence France-Presse,Reuters Xinhua,Agence France-Presse,Reuters China’s Jerry Shang Juncheng opened his Australian Open campaign with a four-set win over former top-10 player Roberto Bautista-Agut on Monday, but Philippines trailblazer Alexandra Eala was unable to deliver for her adoring fans in a first-round defeat to the United States’ Alycia Parks. In the headline night match, Novak Djokovic began his hunt for a record ‌25th grand slam title with a 6-3, 6-2, ‍6-2 win over unseeded Spaniard Pedro Martinez, the Serb easing pre-tournament concerns about ⁠his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3340405/australian-open-chinas-jerry-shang-upsets-ex-world-top-10-player-power-round-2?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3340405/australian-open-chinas-jerry-shang-upsets-ex-world-top-10-player-power-round-2?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jan 2026 07:35:45 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Novak Djokovic launches his latest bid to win a record 25th grand slam crown while title contenders Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek are also in action at the Australian Open on Monday. A bumper second day at Melbourne Park sees three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev, home hope Alex de Minaur and fourth seed Amanda Anisimova also enter the fray. The 38-year-old Serbian great Djokovic faces Spain’s 71st-ranked Pedro Martinez in the final match of the day on Rod Laver Arena. A former world No 1, now ranked... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3340357/australian-open-novak-djokovic-launches-latest-bid-record-25th-grand-slam-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3340357/australian-open-novak-djokovic-launches-latest-bid-record-25th-grand-slam-title?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jan 2026 01:20:04 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Associated Press Agence France-Presse,Associated Press Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka launched their Australian Open title bids with straight-sets wins, but there was no fairy tale for 45-year-old Venus Williams on Sunday. On a hot Melbourne day in which a ball girl fainted, last year’s men’s beaten finalist Alexander Zverev dropped a set before easing into the second round. World No 1 Alcaraz joined him, the Spaniard beating 81st-ranked home player Adam Walton 6-3, 7-6, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena. Alcaraz, who is desperate to win the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3340343/australian-open-no-venus-williams-fairy-tale-carlos-alcaraz-aryna-sabalenka-win-openers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3340343/australian-open-no-venus-williams-fairy-tale-carlos-alcaraz-aryna-sabalenka-win-openers?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Jan 2026 14:09:31 +0000 Paul McNamara,Mike Chan Paul McNamara,Mike Chan Coleman Wong Chak-lam has not given up on his hopes of entering the main draw at the Australian Open, despite being beaten by Elias Ymer in the final qualifying round on Thursday. Hongkonger Wong lost to the experienced Swede 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 in two hours and 15 minutes at Melbourne Park, failing to manage a third win in three days following straight-set victories over Ugo Blanchet and Pablo Llamas Ruiz in his opening qualifiers. James Allemby, Wong’s coach, said the 21-year-old was downcast after... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3339971/hong-kongs-coleman-wong-falls-final-australian-open-hurdle-loses-ymer-3-sets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3339971/hong-kongs-coleman-wong-falls-final-australian-open-hurdle-loses-ymer-3-sets?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 05:41:13 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Amateur Jordan Smith sensationally upset a star-studded field to collect an A$1 million (US$670,000) prize on Wednesday by winning the pressure-packed “One Point Slam” ahead of the Australian Open. The innovative sudden-death contest at a sold-out Rod Laver Arena pitted 24 professionals led by Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff alongside 24 amateurs and celebrity wild cards. Each match consisted of just one point: win and you advanced, lose and you were out. The amateur... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3339912/amateur-stuns-stellar-field-win-one-point-slam-event-included-pop-star-jay-chou?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3339912/amateur-stuns-stellar-field-win-one-point-slam-event-included-pop-star-jay-chou?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jan 2026 13:00:18 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Coleman Wong Chak-lam said he is “really enjoying” playing tennis after beating Spain’s Pablo Llamas Ruiz 7-6, 6-0 in the second round of the Australian Open qualifying on Wednesday. The 21-year-old has enjoyed a solid start to the year, reaching the singles quarter-finals and doubles semi-finals at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open last week, both personal bests on the ATP Tour, and now he is one win away from making the main draw at the Australian Open. In his win over Ruiz, the Hong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3339825/coleman-wong-beats-pablo-llamas-ruiz-edge-closer-australian-open-main-draw?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3339825/coleman-wong-beats-pablo-llamas-ruiz-edge-closer-australian-open-main-draw?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jan 2026 04:57:33 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Mandarin pop king Jay Chou will compete for an A$1 million (US$670,000) prize in the One Point Slam at the Australian Open, playing against top professionals such as world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, Coco Gauff and Jannik Sinner. Chou announced on Monday that he would play in the event on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday with a wild card. The One Point Slam, first held at last year’s Australian Open, pits 12 male and 12 female professional players against 24 amateurs – including... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3339720/mandarin-pop-star-jay-chou-take-top-tennis-pros-australian-open-slam-event?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3339720/mandarin-pop-star-jay-chou-take-top-tennis-pros-australian-open-slam-event?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jan 2026 09:30:09 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Coleman Wong Chak-lam vowed to “give my best” to progress in the Australian Open after overcoming world No 142 Ugo Blanchet of France 6-3, 7-6 in the first round of qualifying on Tuesday. After reaching the quarter-finals at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026 last week and beating Blanchet, Wong is full of belief. “For me, to keep believing, to keep believing that I can come back every point,” he said. “You never know. That’s how tennis is in this [moment]. That’s how it’s so... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3339674/coleman-wong-beats-ugo-blanchet-advance-second-round-qualifying-australian-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3339674/coleman-wong-beats-ugo-blanchet-advance-second-round-qualifying-australian-open?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jan 2026 03:40:35 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara After every win in Hong Kong last week, Alexander Bublik would retire to the same Japanese restaurant and savour a “beautiful pint of beer”. Bublik’s drink on Sunday night would have tasted especially satisfying, after his victory over Lorenzo Musetti in the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open final elevated him to a career-high No 10 world ranking. He has five tournament wins in seven months; a late-career surge the 28-year-old partially attributes to the birth of his son Vasily in August... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3339579/hong-kong-champion-bublik-celebratory-beers-24-hours-vegas-and-doomed-major-mission?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3339579/hong-kong-champion-bublik-celebratory-beers-24-hours-vegas-and-doomed-major-mission?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:30:11 +0000 Reuters Reuters Elina Svitolina was tested by China’s Wang Xinyu in the Auckland Open final on Sunday ‌but came through 6-3, 7-6 to kick off her ‍new season with her 19th WTA title. The 31-year-old baseliner was not quite firing on all cylinders as she continued her preparations for the Australian Open after a ⁠lengthy break, but had enough quality and experience to get past her aggressive 24-year-old opponent. “It feels amazing to win another title especially after a not-great end to last season,” said... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3339483/chinas-wang-xinyu-lets-world-no-13-elina-svitolina-hook-auckland-wta-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3339483/chinas-wang-xinyu-lets-world-no-13-elina-svitolina-hook-auckland-wta-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Jan 2026 07:15:07 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Olympic tennis champion Zheng Qinwen has withdrawn from this month’s Australian Open, saying on Thursday she is not yet fit enough to compete with the world’s best. A former finalist at the year’s opening grand slam, losing to current world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-2 in 2024, Zheng said pulling out of the tournament in Melbourne had been “incredibly difficult”. But the 23-year-old has played only briefly since undergoing elbow surgery after a first round defeat at Wimbledon last July, and she... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3339185/chinas-zheng-qinwen-out-australian-open-says-shes-not-fit-enough-compete?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3339185/chinas-zheng-qinwen-out-australian-open-says-shes-not-fit-enough-compete?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Jan 2026 09:27:11 +0000 Reuters Reuters Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner turned 2025 into a gripping tug of war for tennis supremacy by carving up the grand slams for a second straight year, while the women’s game showcased depth and drama with four different major champions. Sinner’s dominant victory over Alexander Zverev at the start of the season helped him retain his Australian Open title and become the first Italian to capture three majors – moving past Nicola Pietrangeli, who won back-to-back French Opens in 1959-60. What... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3337729/year-tennis-sincaraz-rivalry-splits-mens-grand-slams-while-4-share-womens-titles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3337729/year-tennis-sincaraz-rivalry-splits-mens-grand-slams-while-4-share-womens-titles?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Dec 2025 06:00:16 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang China’s Zheng Qinwen will resume her comeback at an exhibition event with a difference on the eve of next month’s Australian Open: a tournament consisting of one-point matches. Zheng, who had surgery on a troublesome right elbow in July and has barely played since, will join the likes of Naomi Osaka, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the AO 1 Point Slam at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena. Ten amateur players will try their luck against 22 professionals in knockout rounds, with “rock, paper,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3337646/zheng-qinwen-join-osaka-alcaraz-1-point-slam-australian-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3337646/zheng-qinwen-join-osaka-alcaraz-1-point-slam-australian-open?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 10:41:11 +0000 Aaina Bhargava Aaina Bhargava If there’s one piece of advice Andre Agassi offers, it’s to dream while awake. “It’s way too easy to dream when you’re sleeping,” says the American tennis legend. “Don’t be scared to dream big because it takes as much effort to dream big as it does small.” He advises choosing your definition of success carefully. Even if you achieve it, it might not feel the way you expected. Fresh off his run as Laver Cup captain, Agassi was in Hong Kong in October for the Prudential NextGen Aces event, a panel... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3334499/andre-agassi-hong-kong-his-comeback-and-learning-live-present?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3334499/andre-agassi-hong-kong-his-comeback-and-learning-live-present?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Nov 2025 21:00:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press India’s top-ranked male tennis player has received a Chinese visa for an Australian Open wild-card playoff tournament beginning on November 24 in Chengdu after first being denied one. Sumit Nagal took to social media on Tuesday to ask the Chinese ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, and the Chinese embassy to intervene on his behalf. In a second social media post late on Thursday, Nagal thanked the Chinese ambassador and India’s ministry of external affairs, among others, after receiving the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3332828/indias-no-1-player-gets-chinese-visa-grand-slam-tennis-qualifier-after-appeal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3332828/indias-no-1-player-gets-chinese-visa-grand-slam-tennis-qualifier-after-appeal?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Nov 2025 11:00:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press India’s top-ranked male tennis player is appealing to Chinese authorities after saying he was denied a visa to compete in an Australian Open wild-card playoff tournament beginning on November 24 in Chengdu. Sumit Nagal took to social media to ask the Chinese ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, and the Chinese embassy to intervene on his behalf. “I am supposed to fly to China soon to represent India at the Australian Open playoff,” Nagal posted on Tuesday. “But my visa was rejected without reason.... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3332488/indian-tennis-no-1-appeals-chinese-officials-after-visa-denied-grand-slam-qualifier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3332488/indian-tennis-no-1-appeals-chinese-officials-after-visa-denied-grand-slam-qualifier?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:00:11 +0000 Reuters Reuters Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will play an exhibition match in South Korea in January, organisers said on Monday, as the top two men’s players in the world ramp up their preparations for the Australian Open. The pair, who have won nine of the past 10 major titles, will play in the Hyundai Card Super Match at Incheon’s Inspire Arena on January 10, eight days before the year’s first grand slam begins at Melbourne Park. The exhibition has previously featured some of the biggest names in men’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3331313/jannik-sinner-carlos-alcaraz-set-south-korea-exhibition-match-ahead-australian-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3331313/jannik-sinner-carlos-alcaraz-set-south-korea-exhibition-match-ahead-australian-open?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Nov 2025 07:38:27 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Maya Joint has one eye on a seeded berth at the Australian Open as she looks to continue her march through the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Friday. After being forced to dig in to defeat Anastasija Sevastova in a three-setter in which she was a set and a break down before a rain delay on Monday, Joint had a much smoother time against Viktoria Morvayova on Wednesday, progressing in straight sets. The 19-year-old Australian, who came to Hong Kong ranked 32nd in the world, needs to at least... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3330870/hong-kong-tennis-open-maya-joint-eyes-another-title-and-australian-grand-slam-seeding?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3330870/hong-kong-tennis-open-maya-joint-eyes-another-title-and-australian-grand-slam-seeding?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Oct 2025 06:47:06 +0000 China’s world No 8 Zheng Qinwen has joined a call for more money from the grand slams to filter down to the lower ranks. “I think that’s going to benefit all the players, not only the top players, especially those that work hard during the year and need to get paid from the grand slams and have to survive,” she said. Zheng said tennis should follow the example of the NBA, where players earn in aggregate around 50 per cent of basketball-related income. “That’s really positive, because if you look... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3305251/chinas-zheng-qinwen-joins-call-tennis-grand-slam-prize-money-be-shared-more-fairly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3305251/chinas-zheng-qinwen-joins-call-tennis-grand-slam-prize-money-be-shared-more-fairly?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Apr 2025 09:19:54 +0000 American tennis firebrand Danielle Collins delivered on her pledge to take a holiday in the Bahamas with her Australian Open prize money in a final shot at fans who booed her at the season’s first grand slam last month. The world No 12 was given a hostile reception as she knocked out home favourite Destanee Aiava in the second round at Melbourne Park and responded by saying the hecklers were funding her next holiday. Collins posted video on social media on Sunday showing her enjoying a “five... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3297121/us-tennis-star-danielle-collins-delivers-australian-open-promise-five-star-vacay?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3297121/us-tennis-star-danielle-collins-delivers-australian-open-promise-five-star-vacay?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Feb 2025 05:00:09 +0000 China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen has found herself three places lower in the women’s world singles rankings after their latest update, reflecting the Australian Open, which wrapped up in Melbourne at the weekend. Zheng had been sitting at a career-high ranking of No 5, but the 22-year-old’s shock second-round loss to Germany’s Laura Siegemund dropped her three spots on Monday to No 8. New women’s champion Madison Keys returned to her career-best WTA ranking, while men’s champion Jannik... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3296424/zheng-qinwen-drops-down-rankings-australian-open-champion-madison-keys-re-enters-top-10?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3296424/zheng-qinwen-drops-down-rankings-australian-open-champion-madison-keys-re-enters-top-10?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Jan 2025 07:22:56 +0000 A clinical Jannik Sinner swept past Alexander Zverev to retain his Australian Open title on Sunday and cement his status as the world’s dominant player in men’s tennis. The 23-year-old Italian came through a tense final between the two highest-ranked players 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena, raising his arms in the air and looking to the sky in celebration. In doing so he became the first Italian, man or woman, to win three grand slams, surpassing Nicola Pietrangeli. The emphatic victory also... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3296343/australian-open-mens-final-jannik-sinner-goes-2-sets-against-alexander-zverev?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3296343/australian-open-mens-final-jannik-sinner-goes-2-sets-against-alexander-zverev?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Jan 2025 10:56:23 +0000 Madison Keys’ Australian Open triumph fulfilled a prediction made a decade ago by Li Na – and she even managed it on a special anniversary for the Chinese tennis legend. American Keys’ victory in Melbourne came on January 25, the same date Li won her Australian Open crown 11 years earlier. And Li had seen it coming, tipping Keys to follow her to the pinnacle when she said at the same tournament in 2015 that she saw Keys as “a future grand slam champion” whose “future is limitless”. Keys reached... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3296333/how-chinas-li-na-predicted-madison-keys-australian-open-win-10-years-ago?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3296333/how-chinas-li-na-predicted-madison-keys-australian-open-win-10-years-ago?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Jan 2025 09:02:55 +0000 Madison Keys produced an inspired display to dethrone top seed Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open and capture her maiden grand slam title with a battling 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory in the final on Saturday. The 29-year-old American became the fourth-oldest first-time grand slam champion in the professional era after Flavia Pennetta, Ann Jones and Francesca Schiavone, and her win ended Sabalenka’s bid for a third straight Melbourne Park crown. Sabalenka made a couple of double faults to drop serve... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3296276/australian-open-final-madison-keys-stuns-top-seed-aryna-sabalenka-thriller?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3296276/australian-open-final-madison-keys-stuns-top-seed-aryna-sabalenka-thriller?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Jan 2025 11:09:58 +0000 Reigning champion Jannik Sinner reached the Australian Open final on Friday, where he will face Alexander Zverev after Novak Djokovic retired injured during his semi-final clash with the German. Former world No 1 and 10-time champion in Melbourne Djokovic went down 7-6 in the first, after he was beaten 7-5 in the tiebreak before immediately signalling he could not continue. It was a tight semi-final, with no breaks of serve and Zverev clinched the set after Djokovic hit a slam into the net. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3296095/australian-open-djokovic-retires-injured-after-losing-semi-final-first-set-zverev?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3296095/australian-open-djokovic-retires-injured-after-losing-semi-final-first-set-zverev?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Jan 2025 05:19:54 +0000 Madison Keys fought back from a set down on Thursday to shock Iga Swiatek and reach her first Australian Open final, where she will face two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. The 19th seed powered through a thrilling semi-final on a final-set tiebreak against the world No 2 from Poland 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 after defending champion Sabalenka put her close friendship with Paula Badosa aside Thursday to sweep past the Spaniard into a third successive Australian Open final. Five-time grand slam... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3295979/australian-open-semi-finals-djokovic-zverev-tough-fight-sinner-has-edge-over-shelton?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3295979/australian-open-semi-finals-djokovic-zverev-tough-fight-sinner-has-edge-over-shelton?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Jan 2025 09:09:21 +0000 Defending champion Jannik Sinner shattered home hopes on Wednesday by crushing Alex de Minaur in a straight-sets rout to set up an Australian Open semi-final against Ben Shelton. The Italian world No 1 showed no signs of the illness that hampered him in his last match to emphatically fly past the eighth seed 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena. He will meet stubborn American Shelton for a place in Sunday’s final against either 10-time champion Novak Djokovic or second seed Alexander Zverev. Sinner... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3295738/australian-open-resilient-madison-keys-beats-elina-svitolina-reach-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3295738/australian-open-resilient-madison-keys-beats-elina-svitolina-reach-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Jan 2025 03:17:17 +0000 Ageless Novak Djokovic won an epic generational clash against Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday to stay on track for an 11th Australian Open title with Alexander Zverev next in the semi-finals. The Serb, who is chasing a record 25th grand slam crown, outlasted the Spaniard, 16 years his junior, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 despite having his left thigh heavily strapped. In the latest chapter of a generational rivalry that has played out on the biggest stages, including last year’s Paris Olympics gold medal... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3295584/australian-open-emotional-badosa-stuns-gauff-reach-semi-finals-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3295584/australian-open-emotional-badosa-stuns-gauff-reach-semi-finals-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Jan 2025 03:15:46 +0000 Jannik Sinner battled through illness and reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Monday, but the physical demands of grand slam tennis proved too much for French veteran Gael Monfils and American teenager Learner Tien. Iga Swiatek was in excellent shape as she continued her bid for a maiden title at Melbourne Park, and sixth major, by downing Eva Lys 6-0, 6-1, but Elena Rybakina could not shake off a back problem and fell 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 to Madison Keys. Monfils, 38, was forced to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3295465/australian-open-day-9-no-1-jannik-sinner-overcomes-medical-break-reach-quarter-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3295465/australian-open-day-9-no-1-jannik-sinner-overcomes-medical-break-reach-quarter-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jan 2025 07:29:54 +0000 Novak Djokovic surged into an Australian Open quarter-final clash against Carlos Alcaraz with a dominant victory on Sunday, while women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka was a ruthless winner. Double defending champion Sabalenka is on a collision course with in-form world No 3 Coco Gauff in the semi-finals in Melbourne if both win in the last eight. Alcaraz went through when Britain’s Jack Draper retired injured, the 37-year-old Djokovic then kept up his end of the bargain with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3295355/australian-open-day-8-world-no-1-aryna-sabalenka-eases-round-4-straight-sets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3295355/australian-open-day-8-world-no-1-aryna-sabalenka-eases-round-4-straight-sets?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Jan 2025 01:43:33 +0000