Day Two Bursts with Stars at Australian Open 2026
Melbourne Park crackles on day two of the Australian Open 2026, as Novak Djokovic hunts another title amid debuts from Coco Gauff and Alex de Minaur, while Rafael Nadal’s return stirs old rivalries.
Melbourne’s gates swung wide on Sunday, drawing record crowds to the Australian Open 2026 under a punishing summer sun. Day two promises the same feverish energy, with tennis stars like 10-time champion Novak Djokovic, the combustible Daniil Medvedev, American ace Coco Gauff, and Filipina sensation Alexandra Eala stepping into the spotlight for their tournament debuts. The plexicushion courts, grippy and quick, set the stage for baseline battles where every slide and stretch counts, the air thick with humidity and expectation.
Djokovic carries decade of dominance
Novak Djokovic glides onto Rod Laver Arena, his flat backhand already carving inside-in winners in practice, the weight of those 10 titles pressing like the heat on his shoulders. Facing a qualifier, he knows the real test lies in conserving energy for the deep runs ahead, his 1–2 pattern—serve deep, then crosscourt forehand—primed to dismantle returns early. The Serb’s mental edge, forged in these very conditions, turns potential upsets into routine straight-sets wins, though whispers of last season’s form linger in the crowd’s murmurs.
Daniil Medvedev follows with his lanky counters, stretching rallies into endurance tests where underspin slices pull opponents off balance. His first-round matchup demands the same tactical patience that has carried him through Slams before, frustration bubbling just beneath if points slip away. Melbourne’s bounce favors his flat shots, setting up down-the-line passes that could echo through the draw.
Gauff and Eala ignite young fire
Coco Gauff unleashes her heavy topspin forehand against a qualifier, the ball climbing high off the surface to pin foes deep, her quick feet dancing the baseline in the rising warmth. At 22, she channels American hopes into explosive serves that kick wide, building on past breakthroughs while navigating the psychological pull of early pressure. The crowd’s cheers swell with her every winner, fueling the momentum she needs to silence doubts.
Alexandra Eala bursts in with aggressive inside-out forehands, her net rushes testing the court’s grip for sharp volleys that disrupt steady play. The Filipina’s flair mixes with grit, varying pace to draw errors in humid conditions that sap power from bigger hitters. Her debut carries breakout promise, where split-second decisions under the lights could launch a surprise run.
De Minaur pivots under home gaze
Australia’s top-ranked male, Alex De Minaur, now faces American lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald after former Australian Open semifinalist Matteo Berrettini withdrew from the tournament on Saturday evening. The 26-year-old’s speedy one–two punch thrives on these fast courts, but the opponent switch forces quick adjustments to McDonald’s crafty returns and occasional net forays. Home support roars from the stands, turning his crosscourt backhands into crowd-pleasing daggers, yet the unpredictability adds a layer of mental recalibration.
Earlier today, tennis megastar Rafael Nadal confirmed he would be returning to Australia this year to take part in the ‘Night of Legends’ exhibition event played at KIA Arena ahead of the men’s final. His presence evokes epic duels past, subtly sharpening the edge for contenders like Djokovic, who once traded blows with him here. As day two unfolds, these clashes blend tactics and temperament, hinting at the fortnight’s champions forged in Melbourne’s relentless fire.