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Australian Open Sets Record Purse as Alcaraz, Swiatek Target Career Slams

An expanded wheelchair program extends the tournament’s long-standing leadership in disability sport.

Overview

  • The total prize fund rises 16% to Aus$111.5m, with singles champions earning Aus$4.15m and first‑round losers receiving Aus$150,000, as confirmed on 6 January.
  • Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek arrive one major short of completing career Grand Slams, and an Alcaraz triumph would make him the youngest man to achieve the feat.
  • Top seeds are Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, with Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek seeded second and Novak Djokovic set as the No 4 seed.
  • The draw takes place on 15 January local time, the main draw begins on 18 January, and finals weekend runs 31 January–1 February.
  • The Australian Open, first to stage official wheelchair competition in 2002, is linking new international events into an expanded 2026 Australian Wheelchair Tennis Summer Series.