The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam of every tennis year, and the only one played in the Southern Hemisphere. Each January, the best players in the world head to Melbourne for two weeks of summer tennis. For South African punters, it is also a great event to bet on, with matches running from early morning into the afternoon our time. This guide covers the tournament’s history, its records, how betting on it works and some tips to help you along.
- First played in 1905, in Melbourne
- Played on grass until 1987, and on hard courts since 1988
- Held at Melbourne Park every January
- 2026 champions: Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina
- Most titles: Novak Djokovic (10 men’s) and Margaret Court (11 women’s)
A Short History of the Australian Open
The tournament began in 1905 as the Australasian Championships. In 1927 it became the Australian Championships, and in 1969, when professionals were allowed to play, it became the Australian Open.
For most of its history, the event was played on grass and moved between different Australian cities. The last grass-court final was held in 1987. The following year, the tournament moved to its current home at Melbourne Park and switched to hard courts.
For a long time, many top players skipped the trip to Australia because of the distance. Today, that has completely changed. The Australian Open now has record prize money, packed crowds and every star in the game. The 2026 edition offered prize money of more than A$111 million.
Australian Open Records
| Record | Holder |
|---|---|
| Most men’s singles titles | Novak Djokovic (10) |
| Most women’s singles titles | Margaret Court (11) |
| Most women’s titles in the Open era | Serena Williams (7) |
| Youngest men’s champion | Ken Rosewall (18) |
| Youngest women’s champion | Martina Hingis (16) |
| Oldest men’s champion | Ken Rosewall (37) |
Recent Champions
The last few years have seen a changing of the guard. In 2026, Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic in the men’s final to win his first Australian Open. With that win, he completed the career Grand Slam, meaning he has now won all four majors. In the women’s final, Elena Rybakina beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
| Year | Men’s champion | Women’s champion |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Carlos Alcaraz | Elena Rybakina |
| 2025 | Jannik Sinner | Madison Keys |
| 2024 | Jannik Sinner | Aryna Sabalenka |
| 2023 | Novak Djokovic | Aryna Sabalenka |
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The Big Names to Watch
Men’s tennis is now led by a new generation. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have shared most of the recent Grand Slam titles between them. Sinner won in Melbourne in 2024 and 2025, before Alcaraz took the crown in 2026. As a result, they usually start as joint favourites.
Novak Djokovic is still a huge threat in Melbourne, where he has won a record 10 titles. He reached the final again in 2026. Behind the top three, there is a strong group of players capable of a deep run on a good fortnight.
The women’s game is more open. Aryna Sabalenka won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024 and reached the 2026 final. Elena Rybakina is the reigning champion, while Madison Keys showed in 2025 that a player outside the top favourites can win. For punters, this openness means more value in the women’s outright market.
How to Bet on the Australian Open
Tennis is one of the best sports for betting. There are lots of matches, clear data and plenty of markets. Here are the most popular bets.
| Bet type | What it means | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Match winner | Pick who wins the match | Simple, but big favourites offer low odds. |
| Set betting | Predict the exact score in sets, e.g. 3-1 | Bigger odds, harder to win. |
| Game handicap | A player wins after a games start or deficit | Useful when one player is a clear favourite. |
| Total games | Over or under a set number of games | Big servers often mean more tie-breaks. |
| Outright winner | Who will win the whole tournament | Best placed before the event starts. |
Men’s and women’s matches are different
At Grand Slams, men play best of five sets, while women play best of three. This matters for betting. In five-set matches, the better player usually wins in the end, because there is more time to recover from a slow start. In three-set matches, upsets are more common, so there can be more value on the underdog.
Using Stats to Find Value
Tennis is full of useful numbers, and most of them are free to find. Before you bet, a few simple stats can tell you a lot about a match.
| Stat | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| First serve percentage | Players who land more first serves win more cheap points. |
| Break points saved | Shows how well a player handles pressure on serve. |
| Hard-court record | Some players are much better on hard courts than on clay or grass. |
| Head-to-head | Some players match up badly against certain opponents, whatever their ranking. |
| Recent workload | Long five-set matches in earlier rounds can leave a player tired. |
None of these numbers will pick winners on their own. However, together they help you judge whether the odds on offer are fair. If you think a player’s real chance is better than the odds suggest, that is a possible value bet.
Tips for Betting on the Australian Open
1. Watch out for the heat
Melbourne in January can be extremely hot. Temperatures sometimes pass 40°C. Players who struggle in the heat, or who have played long matches in earlier rounds, can fade badly. Check the weather and how long each player spent on court in the previous round.
2. Consider early-season rust
The Australian Open comes right after the off-season. Some players arrive in great shape, while others are still finding their rhythm. Results from the warm-up events in early January can give useful clues.
3. Know the surface
Melbourne’s hard courts are medium-paced. They suit all-round players who are comfortable from the baseline. Big servers do well, but the surface does not hand them free points the way grass can.
4. Look for value in the early rounds
The first week has lots of matches and plenty of mismatches. Bookmakers price the big names very short. However, matches between lower-ranked players are often where the value lies, because they get less attention.
5. Bet live with care
Live tennis betting is very popular, because odds swing with every break of serve. That can create value. Nevertheless, it is easy to get carried away. Set a budget before the match and stick to it. Our betting strategy guide explains how to manage your bankroll.
Australian Open Betting Mistakes to Avoid
- Backing big favourites in accumulators: Stringing together several short-priced favourites looks safe, but one upset ruins the whole bet. Upsets happen every day in the first week.
- Ignoring fitness: Players sometimes start the tournament carrying a niggle from the off-season. Watch for strapping, medical timeouts and withdrawals from warm-up events.
- Forgetting about retirements: In tennis, players sometimes retire injured during a match. Each bookmaker has its own rules on how these bets are settled, so check them first.
- Chasing late-night losses: With matches running through the night in South Africa, it is easy to keep betting when tired. Set a limit and get some sleep.
When to Watch From South Africa
Melbourne is eight or nine hours ahead of South Africa during the tournament. As a result, day sessions in Melbourne run through the early hours of the morning in South Africa. Night sessions, which feature the biggest matches, usually start in the late morning South African time. That makes the Australian Open easy to follow and bet on live, especially at weekends.
Doubles and Other Events
The singles draws get most of the attention, but the Australian Open has much more. There are men’s, women’s and mixed doubles events, plus junior and wheelchair competitions. Bookmakers often offer markets on the doubles too. These markets get less attention, so prices can sometimes be generous for punters who follow doubles closely.
Where to Bet on the Australian Open
Most licensed South African sportsbooks offer full coverage of the Australian Open, including live betting. Compare them on our South African Sportsbooks page.
Australian Open FAQ
When is the Australian Open played?
It is held over two weeks in the second half of January, often finishing on the first weekend of February. It is always the first Grand Slam of the year.
Who won the 2026 Australian Open?
Carlos Alcaraz won the men’s title, beating Novak Djokovic in the final. Elena Rybakina won the women’s title, beating Aryna Sabalenka.
Who has won the Australian Open the most times?
Novak Djokovic holds the men’s record with 10 titles. Margaret Court holds the women’s record with 11.
What surface is the Australian Open played on?
It is played on hard courts at Melbourne Park. Before 1988, it was played on grass.
Is tennis good to bet on?
Yes. There are many matches, lots of statistics and a wide range of markets. However, upsets do happen, especially in best-of-three matches, so keep your stakes sensible.
What happens to my bet if a player retires injured?
It depends on the bookmaker. Some settle the bet once the first set is complete, while others make it void. Always check your bookmaker’s tennis rules before you bet, as these rules can make a real difference.
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