<p>We’re officially in 2026! The start of a new year means many things for many people. For Aussie tennis fans however, it means one thing and one thing only.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/tennis/mens-australian-open/men-s-australian-open-winner-2026-8896398">The Australian Open is about to begin</a>.</p> <p>Australia’s premier tennis tournament and one of the four Grand Slams, gets underway at Melbourne Park on January 12.</p> <p>As the best tennis players on the planet descend on our shores, it’s time to take a quick look ahead and see who is in the running to become the next Australian Open champion.</p> <p>Here we’re running the rule over the men’s bracket, to see which boy would be king of Melbourne Park in 2026.</p> <p>From red-hot favourites to local hopefuls, it doesn't matter if you’re barracking for a Demon, a Djoker or a Sinner, our Australian Open Men’s Predictions have something for everyone.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open Men’s Predictions 2026 – The Favourites</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Jannik Sinner</h3> <p>Unsurprisingly, the favourite heading into the 2026 Australia Open is Italian stallion Jannick Sinner.</p> <p>The current defending back-to-back champion Jannik remains the man to beat in Melbourne.</p> <p>The only question that remains is - can anyone stop Jannik from going back-to-back-to-back?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Carlos Alcaraz</h3> <p>This man might. The Nadal to Sinner’s Federer, Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz is the clear contender to deny Sinner a hat-trick of titles at Melbourne Park.</p> <p>Last year Alcaraz met Sinner in three of the four Grand Slam finals, ending up 2-1 on aggregate.</p> <p>The only major final they didn’t meet in, believe it or not, was the Australian Open final, with Sinner defeating Alexander Zverev in straight sets, while Carlos watched on at home after being eliminated.</p> <p>Can Alcaraz set up another showdown with Sinner in a major final? And if so, can he wind up the winner? Watch this space.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Novak Djokovic</h3> <p>Father time truly is undefeated. Not even the greatest male tennis player of all-time can beat him.</p> <p>Once an absolute lock for this tournament, ten-time champion (the most in Australian Open history) Novak Djokovic is now 38 going on 39 and it’s safe to say the party is almost over for the Serbian superstar.</p> <p>A big underdog to take out title number 11 at Melbourne Park compared to his younger adversaries Sinner and Alcaraz, is this the last time we see the Djoker Down Under in a competitive sense? If so, will he get the last laugh over his more fancied opponents?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open Men’s Predictions 2026 – Under the Radar Options</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Alexander Zverev</h3> <p>Last year’s beaten finalist, Alexander Zverev will be hoping to go one better at the 2026 Australian Open.</p> <p>A first Grand Slam title still eludes the big serving German, but could this be the year he finally breaks his duck?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Daniil Medvedev</h3> <p>The resident pantomime villain of Melbourne Park, Russian Daniil Medvedev has made three Australian Open finals, losing all of them.</p> <p>He has also managed to wind up the home crowd on every single one of his visits Down Under, so you can probably expect more erratic antics as well as some world-class tennis from the man everyone loves to hate.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Taylor Fritz</h3> <p>A hardcourt specialist, hard-hitting American Taylor Fritz will be looking to take his form from the hardcourts of the US Down Under.</p> <p>He made the final of the US Open in 2024, which is played on the same surface as the Aus Open, and will be looking to produce a similar run in the Victorian sunshine.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open Men’s Predictions 2026 – Local Hopes</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Alex De Minaur</h3> <p>The current crown prince of Aussie tennis, Alex De Minaur will once again have the hopes of the nation on his shoulders at the Australian Open.</p> <p>His best ever finish at this tournament came last year when he made the quarter finals and he and everyone Down Under, will be hoping he can improve on that result this time around.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Alexei Popyrin</h3> <p>Despite never making it past the third round at the Australian Open, Aussie Alexei Popyrin will be hoping to make a splash this time around.</p> <p>He showed what he can do at Grand Slams last year, making the fourth round of the French. Now it’s time to bring that form home, Alexei.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Aleksandar Vukic</h3> <p>The definition of an Aussie battler, Aleksander Vukic looked destined to spend his career in relative obscurity.</p> <p>A fun little run at last year’s Australian Open changed that saw him scalp two players in the top 25, thrust him into the limelight.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open Dates and Details 2026</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Dates: </strong>Monday, January 12 – Sunday, February 1, 2026.</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>Melbourne, Victoria.</p> <p><strong>Arena: </strong>Melbourne Park.</p> <p><strong>Where to watch:</strong> Channel 9, 9Now and Stan Sport.&nbsp;</p>