Australian Open 2022: Day 8
Image by Chris Putnam on Canva

The Australian Open 2026 is underway right now–the main draw kicked off on 18 January, with first-round singles firing up at Melbourne Park. It's the Happy Slam, but for punters, it's prime time for action: massive outright markets, live in-play thrills, and heaps of value if you know what to look for.

With Jannik Sinner chasing a three-peat at short odds (ranging from -115 to +110 across bookmakers) and Aryna Sabalenka topping the women's board (+190 to +200), the tournament is loaded with betting edges.

Add the recent hype from the Million Dollar One Point Slam — where amateur Jordan Smith stunned the world by beating Sinner, Alcaraz, Anisimova, and others to snag A$1 million on 14 January — and the buzz around the tournament is electric.

Whether you're new to tennis betting or a seasoned punter, here's how to get stuck in properly.

Getting Started — Choosing a Bookie and Placing Bets

A solid starting point involves choosing a licensed, Australia-friendly bookmaker with sharp Australian Open lines, fast payouts, and attractive welcome bonuses. Reliable options include Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, Bet365, and TAB for local punters, as well as DraftKings and FanDuel for those betting offshore. These platforms often provide boosted odds on major matches and smooth mobile access.

The registration and betting process usually looks like this:

  1. Visit the bookmaker's website or app and complete the sign-up form with basic personal details.
  2. Verify your identity by uploading required documents such as a driver's licence, passport, or Medicare card (commonly required for withdrawals).
  3. Deposit funds, with minimum amounts typically ranging from $10 to $20.
  4. Activate any available welcome offer, such as a matched deposit bonus, free bets, or bet credits (terms and conditions apply, especially for Grand Slam markets).
  5. Navigate to the tennis section, select Australian Open 2026, and place your first bet.

While outright winner markets were priced well before the tournament began, live betting really heats up once the first serve is hit. Odds update point by point, making it ideal for capturing momentum shifts, fatigue, and heat-driven drama common in Melbourne.

Casino Platforms with Integrated Betting

Many online casino platforms, which at first glance focus mainly on pokies and table games, also offer full sports betting sections. Markets for major events like the Australian Open are standard, allowing players to switch seamlessly between casino games and tennis betting.

For bettors interested in exploring pokies and other casino options — creating additional ways to win beyond tennis knowledge — real money casinos at online-casinosaustralia.com provide detailed, beginner-friendly breakdowns. The site presents information clearly and in straightforward language, covering everything from game mechanics to platform features.

Bets placed on Australian online casino platforms follow the same basic rules as traditional bookmakers:

  • odds are set either before the event or updated live
  • settlements occur immediately after the match or market concludes

For faster withdrawals, many punters connect PayID for instant bank transfers or use crypto payment options such as Bitcoin or Ethereum.

This hybrid setup suits bettors who enjoy variety. One account can cover Australian Open outrights, player props, and heat-related specials, while also offering casino gameplay for longer sessions.

Key Tennis Markets — From Outrights to Player Props

Tennis betting at the Australian Open offers a wide range of markets, catering to everyone from cautious bettors to stats-focused punters.

Outright Winners

Jannik Sinner sits as the favourite in the men's draw (around -115 to +110), aiming for a third consecutive title on hard courts that suit his game perfectly. Carlos Alcaraz (+250 to +300) is close behind, while Novak Djokovic (+500 to +600) remains a threat despite ongoing injury concerns.

On the women's side, Aryna Sabalenka leads the market at around +190, with Iga Swiatek and defending champion Madison Keys close behind.

Match Betting

Popular options include head-to-head winners, correct score betting (such as 2–0 or 2–1), and total games over or under. For men's best-of-five matches, common lines sit around 21.5 to 22.5 games. These lines can shift sharply in live betting when heat or fatigue begins to affect one player more than the other.

Live / In-Play Betting

Live betting is especially strong at the Australian Open. Markets such as next game winner, next break of serve, or total points in a set adjust instantly as momentum swings. These markets are particularly profitable during heat-affected matches when a player visibly begins to tire.

Player Props and Specials

Player prop markets include aces over or under (big servers like Sinner or Fritz are popular picks), double faults, tie-break yes or no, longest rally, and even retirement due to extreme heat — a frequent topic during 35°C+ days. Some bookmakers also offer novelty specials like early-round upsets or viral moment predictions.

What to Factor In — Beyond Just Picking Winners

Smart betting means looking beyond player names. Australian Open courts use Plexicushion hard courts, which are medium-slow this season. They reward aggressive baseliners and strong servers while punishing players during extended rallies if humidity rises.

Weather is a major swing factor. January in Melbourne regularly delivers temperatures between 35 and 40°C. The Extreme Heat Policy can suspend play on outer courts above 40°C, increasing the risk of retirements and fatigue-driven outcomes.

Day sessions often drain players faster, making unders on total games attractive for baseline-heavy matchups. Night sessions are cooler and tend to favour fitter players or those with dominant serves. Early forecasts suggest mid-week heat spikes, so monitoring weather-adjusted lines is crucial.

Other important factors include:

  • Form and surface history: Results from Brisbane and Adelaide warm-up tournaments provide valuable insight. Sinner excels on hard courts, while local players like Alex de Minaur (+7000) benefit from strong crowd support.
  • Head-to-head records and injuries: Pre-tournament injury concerns or matchup history can heavily influence pricing. Qualifiers often start fast before fatigue sets in.
  • Draw and scheduling: Tough early matchups, night sessions on Rod Laver Arena versus day matches in extreme heat, and rest-day differences all impact outcomes. Live betting helps exploit these variables.

Always compare odds across multiple bookmakers — even small differences add up over a two-week Grand Slam.

Betting on AO 2026

The Australian Open 2026 offers extensive betting opportunities through elite matchups, diverse player props, and heat-driven volatility that consistently creates value. Successful wagering depends on understanding weather conditions, court characteristics, player form, and maintaining disciplined bankroll management.

With a mix of high-stakes outright markets and fast-moving live betting, the tournament delivers sustained excitement and strong potential returns. Responsible gambling practices and regular line shopping across bookmakers remain essential throughout the event.