Australian Open
Australian Open 2026 Predictions
With the first Grand Slam of 2026 almost upon us, the Australian Open once again promises blistering hard-court action under the Melbourne sun.
The William Hill outright markets highlight a compelling mix of established champions, next-generation stars and value plays worth tracking across both draws.
Men’s Tournament Winner
The men’s futures market sees Jannik Sinner leading the way at 10/11, reflecting his growing dominance on hard courts and newfound ability to absorb pressure in the latter stages of Majors, not to mention he’s won this competition twice already. The Italian has steadily evolved from a powerful baseline hitter into one of the most reliable, tactically disciplined players on Tour. His game travels well in Melbourne — flat, penetrating groundstrokes, excellent court coverage and a serve that now delivers consistent free points.
Carlos Alcaraz sits close behind at 6/4, bringing his trademark blend of audacity, athleticism and heavy ball-striking. While his high-wire approach can occasionally lead to early turbulence, few players possess his ability to rip momentum away from opponents in a matter of minutes. In best-of-five, if his forehand is firing and his legs are fresh, Alcaraz is almost impossible to contain. His best finish in this competition has been the quarter-final in the last two years, so it’ll be interesting to see how he fares despite his short price.
Former champion Novak Djokovic is priced at 9/1, a number that will tempt long-term followers of the event. Melbourne has historically been Djokovic’s domain — a tournament where his anticipatory movement, serve returns and obsessive game planning reach their peak with 10 Australian Open wins under his belt since 2008. Even in the twilight of his career, the Serbian’s strategic mastery, coupled with an unmatched hunger for history, make him a constant danger.
Women’s Tournament Winner
On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka headlines the market at 2/1, fresh from her US Open win. The Belarusian has become the benchmark for sustained power tennis on hard courts. Her serve-plus-one patterns are ferocious, her strike zone is large and her willingness to flatten the ball early keeps rallies short — a significant edge in warm conditions. Sabalenka’s mindset in majors has hardened considerably, and she now plays the critical points with far greater clarity. With two wins under her belt as well as reaching the final last year in this competition, she’s well versed to get the job done.
Iga Swiatek follows at 4/1, offering contrast through construction rather than destruction. The Pole’s topspin-loaded forehand, return game and point sequencing make her uniquely adaptable. While Melbourne isn’t her most prolific Slam venue, her capacity to reset mid-match and expose opponents’ patterns means she is never far from a title.
Coco Gauff (7/1) continues to ascend. Her defensive range is elite, but it is her evolving aggression — particularly off the forehand wing — that has elevated her into a future multiple-Major champion.
Predictions and Best Bets
A Sinner vs Alcaraz final would mirror the betting’s most logical climax — reliability meeting pyrotechnics. In the women’s draw, Sabalenka at 2/1 looks the standout favourite given her proven hard-court ceiling and improved major mentality.
Value-seekers may consider a deep-run ticket on Gauff to reach the semis, while Djokovic at 9/1 remains the smartest outsider play for those backing history and tactical supremacy over market fashion.
