On the occasion of the start of the 2026 Australian Open, at Punto de Break we take a look at the 14 occasions when a Grand Slam champion was knocked out in the opening rounds of the following major.
The 2026 Australian Open is celebrating, even though the final draws have not been played yet. During the week leading up to the tournament, the qualifiers and some exhibition matches were held, such as the One Point Slam tournament or matches featuring Carlos Alcaraz and Roger Federer. This has led to a attendance record being broken in the lead-up week.
In fact, it has been surpassed by far, almost doubling the figure. In 2023, the attendance during the lead-up week was 63,120 spectators. In 2024, the number rose to 89,894. In 2025, the 100,000 attendees mark was exceeded, reaching 115,528. However, this year takes the cake, as it has reached 217,999. Historic.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Open de Australia hace historia en su semana previa batiendo el récord de asistencia
Tallon Griekspoor and Anastasia Potapova are one of the most prominent couples in the tennis world. The Austrian tennis player is ranked 54th in the WTA ranking, while the Dutchman is 25th in the ATP ranking. Griekspoor gave an interview to 'Tennisform' in which he made a striking statement about their relationship.
"I am more of a coach to her than she is to me. Anastasia also has a team around her, and sometimes I have to bite my tongue. We need to keep things private," revealed Griekspoor, who has started 2026 without a coach, suffering six consecutive defeats.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Griekspoor y su relación con Potapova: "A veces, tengo que morderme la lengua..."
The Swiss tennis player, who is going through a great moment of form, admitted that she would have liked to be part of one of the most viral events of recent times.
Stanislas Wawrinka approaches 2026 as the last year of his professional career, but observing his game in these first weeks of 2026, many question why this decision. The Swiss tennis player has received a wildcard for his last Australian Open, and has recently revealed the peculiarity that his racket hides, directly affecting his game.
"My racket is customized to my needs, with a specific weight. The racket's weight is tailored to how I like to play and my style of doing it. It's quite heavy compared to what is seen nowadays. It weighs 380 grams with strings. I've tried to change it several times, but I can't. For tension, I usually use 25 or 27," he admitted in an interview with 'Tennis Legend'.
🤯 "380 grammes cordée"! The weight of the Yonex VCORE racket of @stanwawrinka, aka Thor! The string weight is estimated at 15/20 grams, so his racket weighs between 360 and 365 grams unstrung! A club.
— Tennis Legend (@TennisLegende) January 17, 2026
🗣 "I tried to change several times but I can't."… pic.twitter.com/lAO9tCsWiN
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La asombrosa particularidad de la raqueta de Wawrinka
Maya Joint is the local great hope for the 2026 Australian Open. The 19-year-old Australian tennis player is growing rapidly, currently ranking 32nd in the WTA, which will allow her to be a seeded player. Joint recently reached the quarterfinals at the Adelaide WTA 500, and she believes that the key to achieving a good result will be handling the pressure.
"It's an exciting feeling, especially playing at home. A bit of extra pressure. Being the number one in your country raises people's expectations," she acknowledged on Media Day. The good news is that she has role models to look up to. "Ash Barty, Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Sam Stosur, Nicole Pratt... I try to learn as much as possible from them."
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Maya Joint: "Ser la número uno de Australia hace que aumenten las expectativas"
Emma Raducanu is not arriving in the best possible conditions for the 2026 Australian Open, and she is aware of that. The British tennis player entered the new season after more than three months without competing due to a foot injury, which is why she is approaching the first Grand Slam of the year with caution.
"The end of 2025 was tough because I had a foot injury that prevented me from playing. I couldn't have a proper preseason. That's why I feel the need to ease the pressure off myself and not demand too much or expect to play incredible tennis," she acknowledged at the Media Day prior to her debut, which will be tomorrow morning against Mananchay Sawangkaew.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Raducanu: "Necesito quitarme la presión de encima"
Roger Federer has once again felt like a tennis player during his visit to the Australian Open 2026. The former Swiss tennis player played an exhibition tiebreak against Casper Ruud and a mixed doubles match alongside Ashleigh Barty, Patrick Rafter, Andre Agassi, and Lleyton Hewitt. The highlight was a beautiful tribute in a Rod Laver Arena overflowing with support.
The fireworks took center stage in a tribute fitting to what Federer's figure represents, visibly emotional. Blowing kisses to the crowd, he bid farewell to the scene, leaving behind a memorable image.
Farewell from Roger 👋
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2026
Tomorrow, #AO26 main draw ⏩@wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • pic.twitter.com/YcRlhjdEmP
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Así fue el impresionante homenaje del Open de Australia a Federer
On the occasion of the start of the 2026 Australian Open, at Punto de Break we take a look at the 14 occasions when a Grand Slam champion was knocked out in the opening rounds of the following major.
The Swiss tennis player, who is going through a great moment of form, admitted that she would have liked to be part of one of the most viral events of recent times.
The 2026 Australian Open is celebrating, even though the final draws have not been played yet. During the week leading up to the tournament, the qualifiers and some exhibition matches were held, such as the One Point Slam tournament or matches featuring Carlos Alcaraz and Roger Federer. This has led to a attendance record being broken in the lead-up week.
In fact, it has been surpassed by far, almost doubling the figure. In 2023, the attendance during the lead-up week was 63,120 spectators. In 2024, the number rose to 89,894. In 2025, the 100,000 attendees mark was exceeded, reaching 115,528. However, this year takes the cake, as it has reached 217,999. Historic.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Open de Australia hace historia en su semana previa batiendo el récord de asistencia
Stanislas Wawrinka approaches 2026 as the last year of his professional career, but observing his game in these first weeks of 2026, many question why this decision. The Swiss tennis player has received a wildcard for his last Australian Open, and has recently revealed the peculiarity that his racket hides, directly affecting his game.
"My racket is customized to my needs, with a specific weight. The racket's weight is tailored to how I like to play and my style of doing it. It's quite heavy compared to what is seen nowadays. It weighs 380 grams with strings. I've tried to change it several times, but I can't. For tension, I usually use 25 or 27," he admitted in an interview with 'Tennis Legend'.
🤯 "380 grammes cordée"! The weight of the Yonex VCORE racket of @stanwawrinka, aka Thor! The string weight is estimated at 15/20 grams, so his racket weighs between 360 and 365 grams unstrung! A club.
— Tennis Legend (@TennisLegende) January 17, 2026
🗣 "I tried to change several times but I can't."… pic.twitter.com/lAO9tCsWiN
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La asombrosa particularidad de la raqueta de Wawrinka
Tallon Griekspoor and Anastasia Potapova are one of the most prominent couples in the tennis world. The Austrian tennis player is ranked 54th in the WTA ranking, while the Dutchman is 25th in the ATP ranking. Griekspoor gave an interview to 'Tennisform' in which he made a striking statement about their relationship.
"I am more of a coach to her than she is to me. Anastasia also has a team around her, and sometimes I have to bite my tongue. We need to keep things private," revealed Griekspoor, who has started 2026 without a coach, suffering six consecutive defeats.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Griekspoor y su relación con Potapova: "A veces, tengo que morderme la lengua..."
Maya Joint is the local great hope for the 2026 Australian Open. The 19-year-old Australian tennis player is growing rapidly, currently ranking 32nd in the WTA, which will allow her to be a seeded player. Joint recently reached the quarterfinals at the Adelaide WTA 500, and she believes that the key to achieving a good result will be handling the pressure.
"It's an exciting feeling, especially playing at home. A bit of extra pressure. Being the number one in your country raises people's expectations," she acknowledged on Media Day. The good news is that she has role models to look up to. "Ash Barty, Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Sam Stosur, Nicole Pratt... I try to learn as much as possible from them."
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Maya Joint: "Ser la número uno de Australia hace que aumenten las expectativas"
Emma Raducanu is not arriving in the best possible conditions for the 2026 Australian Open, and she is aware of that. The British tennis player entered the new season after more than three months without competing due to a foot injury, which is why she is approaching the first Grand Slam of the year with caution.
"The end of 2025 was tough because I had a foot injury that prevented me from playing. I couldn't have a proper preseason. That's why I feel the need to ease the pressure off myself and not demand too much or expect to play incredible tennis," she acknowledged at the Media Day prior to her debut, which will be tomorrow morning against Mananchay Sawangkaew.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Raducanu: "Necesito quitarme la presión de encima"
Roger Federer has once again felt like a tennis player during his visit to the Australian Open 2026. The former Swiss tennis player played an exhibition tiebreak against Casper Ruud and a mixed doubles match alongside Ashleigh Barty, Patrick Rafter, Andre Agassi, and Lleyton Hewitt. The highlight was a beautiful tribute in a Rod Laver Arena overflowing with support.
The fireworks took center stage in a tribute fitting to what Federer's figure represents, visibly emotional. Blowing kisses to the crowd, he bid farewell to the scene, leaving behind a memorable image.
Farewell from Roger 👋
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2026
Tomorrow, #AO26 main draw ⏩@wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • pic.twitter.com/YcRlhjdEmP
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Así fue el impresionante homenaje del Open de Australia a Federer
Jessica Pegula is ready to do great things at the Australian Open 2026. After recovering from certain injuries that were holding her back since late 2025 and reaching the semifinals of the WTA 500 in Brisbane a week ago, the American tennis player dreams of defeating her top rivals in the first Grand Slam of the season, specifically Aryna Sabalenka, the number one.
"We tend to bring out the best in each other when we face off. Even though it's sometimes frustrating not to get as many wins as I think I could. She pushes me to improve. I strive to beat Sabalenka on a big stage," she stated in the Media Day before the tournament begins.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Pegula: "Lucho para ganar a Sabalenka en un gran escenario"
The United Cup 2026 has already defined its quarterfinal matchups, awaiting only one country. In the first match tonight, Poland will face Netherlands, needing just one victory to meet Australia in the knockout stage. Also, later tonight, the first quarterfinal clash between United States and Greece will take place.
Tomorrow morning, the showdown between Switzerland and Argentina will be held, leaving the matchups between Belgium and Czech Republic, and Australia against Poland, or Netherlands if they manage to achieve an epic comeback, for the following day.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Así quedan los cruces de cuartos de final de la United Cup 2026