Even at the business end of a grand slam, years after she's retired, Serena Williams can still dominate a news cycle.

Her impact.

Plus, did I mention we have our AO women's final all set up?

And, the AO men's semifinals get under way tonight!

Get caught up on all the results, ramblings, and rigamaroll from Melbourne and beyond!

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🌟 Serena Teases Comeback On NBC's Today Show, the 44yo refused to rule out a return to tennis, noting she'd re-entered the drug testing pool. To quote the GOAT: "I'm gonna see what happens."

🏆 Sabalenka's Streak Continues Aryna Sabalenka cruises past Elina Svitolina, 6-2, 6-3 to become just the second woman in Australian Open history to reach four consecutive finals. The world #1 struck another 29 winners to bring her tournament total to 172.

🔥 Rybakina Returns to the Final Elena Rybakina held off Jessica Pegula, 6-3, 7-6⁷ in a dramatic 2nd set, capitalizing on her 4th match point. Rybakina admitted to having flashbacks from her infamous 22-20 tiebreak loss to Anna Blinkova in 2nd round here in 2024.

⚔️ Where the Elite Meet Carlos Alcaraz faces Alexander Zverev in what I hope is a lopsided win for the Spaniard. Then Jannik Sinner takes on Novak Djokovic in a generational showdown. It's the first time the top four seeds have reached the AO men's semifinals since Djokovic downed Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer 13 years ago.

👀 Pigeon Alert! Novak Djokovic enters his match against Jannik Sinner as heavy underdog, with the Italian winning their last 5 matches. If Djokovic loses, it would be the first time anyone has beaten him six straight times at tour level.

🎾 Courting Fame Thea Frodin served nine aces in her quarterfinal win in the AO girl's juniors event. The American was also the tennis double for young Serena Williams in "King Richard," spending six months on set for the film. The 17yo is currently deciding between college tennis and turning pro.

👁️ Cut the Cameras Players including Novak Djokovic, Jessica Pegula, and Iga Swiatek have backed Coco Gauff's call for limiting camera access in player areas at the Aussie Open. Tournament director Craig Tiley, reportedly in talks for the head USTA job, responded by saying, "We've heard you."

🎾 Show Us Your Koobs! Aussie wildcards Jason Kubler & Marc Polmans fight their way into men's doubles final in Melbourne. That puts Kubler one win away from his 2nd AO doubles title after winning with Rinky Hijikata in 2023. Australia has had a homegrown champion in at least one event every year since 2011.

"Are [Sinner and Alcaraz] better right now than me and all the other guys? Yes, they are. The quality and the level is amazing. But does that mean that I walk out with a white flag? No. I'm going to fight until the last shot." - Novak Djokovic on facing Jannik Sinner ¹

"The question is, are we tennis players or are we animals in the zoo where they are observed even when they poop?" - Iga Swiatek on the camera controversy ²

"Really, are you asking this on the Today Show? Oh, my goodness. I'm just having fun and enjoying my life right now. That's not a yes or no. I don't know." - Serena Williams on a potential comeback ³

"She really, how do I say in a nice way, she really pissed me off, and it's actually helped me and benefited my game. I was more aggressive." - Aryna Sabalenka on the umpire after receiving a hindrance call for grunting ⁴

"Now Coco when you want, I can show you how to demolish in one swipe. Serena style." - Serena Williams to Coco Gauff after the 20yo was caught on camera smashing her racket ⁵

"If you're five per cent off physically at this level it can absolutely be the difference between winning and losing." - Alan Obst, Tennis Australia senior physiotherapist ⁶

AUSTRALIAN OPEN - Rod Laver Arena

Night Session

◆ Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs. Alexander Zverev (3)

◆ Jannik Sinner (2) vs. Novak Djokovic (4)

Philippine Women's Open (WTA 125)

◆ Donna Vekic (#4) vs.Tatiana Prozorova

◆ Donna Vekic (#4) vs. Lin Zhu

Sources

¹ Carayol, Tumaini. "Heavy underdog Djokovic pledges to 'fight until the last shot' in Sinner semi-final." The Guardian, 29 January 2026. link

² Carayol, Tumaini. "Gauff's racket rage fallout: are players right to feel like they're on Big Brother?" The Guardian, 29 January 2026. link

³ Agencies. "Serena Williams open-minded about return to tennis: 'I'm gonna see what happens.'" The Guardian, 29 January 2026. link

⁴ Tan, Gill. "Sabalenka breezes into fourth straight AO women's final." Australian Open, 29 January 2026. link

⁵ TENNIS.com. "Serena Williams backs Coco Gauff's AO racquet smash, offers to show her one swipe 'Serena style.'" Tennis.com, 28 January 2026. link

⁶ Smith, Sophie. "The beautiful brutality of tennis: How 'niggles' can be painful on the scoreboard." Australian Open, 29 January 2026. link