Welcome to This Week in Tennis, where we catch up on all the latest and biggest stories from the ATP and WTA Tours.
Djokovic Adds More Milestones at Melbourne Park
Novak Djokovic added another pair of milestones to his already lengthy resumé on Monday morning, equalling a pair of records held by Roger Federer. First, he tied the Swiss’s tournament record by starting his 21st Australian Open. Second, he equalled the record shared by Federer and Feliciano Lopez by competing in his 81st Grand Slam event.
The 38-year-old also earned his 100th win at the Australian Open with his 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 first-round victory over Pedro Martinez.
The veteran reached the semifinals at all four Grand Slams last season.
Read also: Alcaraz, Sinner, Swiatek going for history in 2026
Rough Start for Canadians
It was not a good opening weekend for the Canadians at the Australian Open.
Gabriel Diallo dropped his first-round match to world No. 3 Alexander Zverev, while Liam Draxl was eliminated by Damir Dzumhur in his Grand Slam debut on Saturday.
Read also: Auger-Aliassime, Stakusic Both Retire in Australian Open First Round
Things did not get any better for Félix Auger-Aliassime and Marina Stakusic on Sunday, who were both forced to retire from their opening-round matches. Auger-Aliassime’s injury forced him to retire early in the fourth set against Nuno Borges while behind 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Stakusic retired due to leg cramps midway through the third set against Australia’s Priscilla Hon. The cramps were so severe that the Mississauga, Ont., native needed to be carried off the court in a wheelchair. Stakusic remains in search of her first main-draw victory at a Grand Slam.
Victoria Mboko broke the Canadian drought in Melbourne with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Emerson Jones in her first-round matchup a few hours after her compatriots' retirements. Denis Shapovalov made it two in a row with a straight-set win over Yunchaokete Bu early Monday morning (Canadian time).
Click here for more news about Canadian tennis players.
Mboko Reaches Final in Adelaide
The breakout Canadian star had a good showing at her tune-up tournament, reaching the final but falling to Mirra Andreeva at the Adelaide International.
It was Mboko’s first loss in a tour final. Despite losing to the world No. 7, Mboko ranking moves up one spot to 16th as she continues creeping closer to the WTA Top 15.
The Canadian played nearly nine hours in her five matches during the tournament, including an upset win over reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys, and the taxing week seemed to affect the 19-year-old in the final as she required a medical timeout midway through the second set.
Read also: Mboko Loses to Andreeva in Adelaide International Final After Taxing Week
All Winners This Week:
WTA 500 - Adelaide
- Women’s Singles: Mirra Andreeva (1/4)* d. Victoria Mboko
- Women’s Doubles: Katerina Siniakova and Shuai Zhang d. Lyudmyla Kichenok and Desirae Krawczyk
WTA 250 - Hobart
- Women’s Singles: Elisabetta Cocciaretto (1/2)* d. Iva Jovic
- Women’s Doubles: Katazyna Piter and Janice Tjen d. Anna Siskova and Magali Kempen
ATP 250 - Auckland
- Men’s Singles: Jakub Mensik (1/2)* d. Sebastian Baez
- Men’s Doubles: Theo Arribage and Albano Olivetti d. Alexander Erler and Robert Galloway
ATP 250 - Adelaide
- Men’s Singles: Tomas Mahac (1/2)* d. Ugo Humbert
- Men’s Doubles: Herri Heliovaara and Henry Patten d. Tim Puetz and Kevin Krawietz
* 2026 Titles/Career Titles
The WTA's best return to Toronto next summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at Sobeys Stadium. Get your tickets today!
The ATP's best return to Montreal next summer for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers Aug 1 to 13 at IGA Stadium. Get your tickets today!
Feature Photo: Andrew Eichenholz/ATP Tour
