While most of Manchester slept through the early hours of Sunday morning, Melbourne Park delivered another dramatic night of tennis mayhem, already shaping the Australian Open into one of the year’s most unmissable sporting events for UK fans waking up to the headlines.
The first Grand Slam of 2026 burst into life with record-breaking crowds, shock upsets and compelling storylines that British tennis followers are now digesting over their morning brew. With UK interest spread across several players and TNT Sports broadcasting every ball for the first time, the season’s opening major carries particular significance for viewers across Greater Manchester and beyond.
Australian Open Opening Night Delivers Shocks and British Talking Points
The opening night produced exactly what fans expect from Melbourne: noise, energy and immediate jeopardy for those slow out of the blocks. Courts played lively, rewarding aggressive baseline play, and it didn’t take long for early results to ripple back to the UK.
For supporters here, the time difference only adds to the intrigue. Overnight scorelines quickly become breakfast-table debate, with social feeds lighting up long before most commuters set off for work.
Record Crowds and Opening Day Fireworks
Tennis Australia smashed attendance records on day one, with 73,235 fans flooding through the gates during the day session alone, eclipsing the previous mark of 68,883. Combined with the evening session, total attendance pushed past 100,000, though not without controversy.
British fans scrolling social media encountered complaints from Melbourne locals describing “awful” overcrowding and endless queues, with some seasoned attendees suggesting the festival atmosphere risked overshadowing the tennis itself. From a UK perspective, it was a reminder of just how big this tournament has become.
The conditions could hardly be more different from January back home. Melbourne basked in 29-degree sunshine, a far cry from the drizzle greeting punters heading towards Old Trafford or the Etihad. For those tuning in around midnight GMT, it felt like a temporary escape from winter.
British Qualifier Makes His Mark
Arthur Fery, a 23-year-old British qualifier ranked 185th in the world, announced himself on the Grand Slam stage outside Wimbledon with a commanding upset of 20th seed Flavio Cobolli. The Stanford University graduate dismantled the Italian 7-6(1), 6-4, 6-1 on John Cain Arena, producing fearless baseline tennis that left his opponent with few answers.
Remarkably, it marked Fery’s second career victory over a 20th seed at a major, following his surprise win at Wimbledon last year. With Jack Draper forced to withdraw pre-tournament through injury, the men’s contingent badly needed a lift. Fery’s composure and clarity of shot selection provided exactly that.
Raducanu Settles After Nervy Start
Emma Raducanu navigated a tricky opening hurdle against Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, eventually pulling clear 6-4, 6-1 to reach round two. The British No.1 looked edgy early on Margaret Court Arena, dropping serve before finding her rhythm and reeling off five straight games.
The match didn’t begin until the early hours of UK time following scheduling issues that saw Raducanu placed second in the night session. Despite limited preparation time and a disrupted build-up, her movement improved as the contest progressed. For British fans catching highlights over breakfast, the performance offered cautious optimism after a stop-start 2025.
Norrie’s Exit Raises Familiar Questions
Less encouraging was Cameron Norrie’s first-round defeat to France’s Benjamin Bonzi. After racing through a 6-0 opening set, the 26th seed unravelled, losing the next three sets to bow out early.
It continues a worrying pattern for the British left-hander. The ability is unquestioned, but consistency at the biggest events remains elusive. With Andy Murray retired and Draper sidelined, British men’s tennis is crying out for a dependable performer deep into majors.
Seeds Find Their Feet in Melbourne
World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz began his campaign on Rod Laver Arena, continuing his pursuit of the one major missing from his collection. On the women’s side, top seed Aryna Sabalenka recovered from early nerves to advance comfortably, admitting afterwards that playing in front of tennis royalty added extra pressure.
Third seed Alexander Zverev also survived a wobble, dropping the opening set before asserting control. These early tests served as a reminder that nothing comes easily in Melbourne, even for the game’s biggest names.
UK Viewing and What Comes Next
For British audiences, the Australian Open always feels different. With Melbourne 11 hours ahead of GMT, day sessions unfold overnight, while the headline night matches land during the UK morning. TNT Sports’ arrival alongside Eurosport ensures wall-to-wall coverage, with free highlights available for those unwilling to sacrifice sleep.
As the first round concludes, attention will turn to potential heavyweight clashes and whether British players can sustain momentum. Early signs suggest this draw will not be short on twists.
Closing Thoughts
As Mancunians wake to grey January skies, the Australian Open once again offers high-quality sporting escapism, delivering drama while the UK sleeps and setting the agenda for the weeks ahead. Record crowds, early shocks and British storylines have already defined the opening weekend.
If the opening exchanges are any indication, Melbourne 2026 is poised to produce moments that resonate far beyond the fortnight. For UK fans, alarms will be set, coffees poured and conversations dominated by overnight action as the Australian Open continues to gather momentum.
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