With no Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open and doubts even coming from Djokovic himself, questions are swirling around his future at the top. He’s still hunting an incredible 11th Australian Open title and a 25th major in Melbourne.

He had already reached that milestone at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and he just did it at the Australian Open.

The first round of the Australian Open continues on Monday with Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek beginning their campaigns and Novak Djokovic resuming his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

Play has begun at the Australian Open — the first Grand Slam of the season — with No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini facing Aliaksandra Sasnovich at the Rod Laver Arena.

The eight players making their Grand Slam debuts at the 2026 Australian Open include three-time WTA quarterfinalist Mananchaya Sawangkaew, Guadalajara semifinalist Nikola Bartunkova and three-time WTA 125 champion Oleksandra Oliynykova.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand return to Pedro Martinez of Spain during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) MELBOURNE,

Tennis hasn’t quite felt the same since Roger Federer retired. Sure, the quality is still sky-high, but that specific brand of effortless grace? That left the building with the Swiss Maestro. That’s why the Australian Open’s decision to host its first-ever official opening ceremony was a stroke of genius.

Iga Świątek acknowledges she has room for improvement in her quest for an Australian Open title to complete a career Grand Slam