As the Australian Open 2026 reaches its climax, it is officially serving as the ‘Final Set’ for many of the sport’s most iconic figures. The atmosphere at Melbourne Park this year is heavy with history, as several players who have been staples of the tour for two decades play their final points on the blue hard courts.
For the fans, every Australian Open 2026 match has become a ‘must-see’ event, a chance to witness the last strokes of brilliance from a golden generation. From the legendary backhands of Switzerland and France to the record-breaking serves of Canada, the turnover of the guard is finally complete. These athletes aren’t just retiring from a Australian Open tournament; they are closing a twenty-year chapter of global tennis history. We are watching the end of an era in real-time.
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Top 10 Tennis legends set for their last Australian Open appearance
1. STAN WAWRINKA
The 2014 champion officially declared Australian Open 2026 as his final season on tour. He reached the third round in Melbourne this year at nearly 41 years old. He is the oldest man to reach the third round of a Slam since 1978. Wawrinka won an epic five-set clutch match against Arthur Gea this week. The ‘Stanimal’ is known for the greatest one-handed backhand in history. He captured three different Grand Slam titles during the Big Three era.
His 2014 Australian Open victory remained one of the toughest paths to a title ever. He stated he wanted to finish his career where he had his best memories. Fans gave him a standing ovation after his five-hour marathon in Round 2. His departure leaves a massive void in the Swiss tennis legacy post-Federer. He will continue a farewell tour through Roland Garros and Wimbledon. His physical resilience after multiple foot surgeries has been inspirational. Wawrinka remains one of the few to beat prime Djokovic in Slam finals. Melbourne 2026 will be his emotional goodbye to the fans at Rod Laver Arena.
2. GAËL MONFILS
The ultimate showman played his final match Down Under on January 20, 2026. He announced his retirement would be official by the end of the 2026 season.
Monfils reached the Australian Open quarter-finals twice during his 20 Melbourne trips. He lifted the junior Australian Open title over twenty years ago in 2004. His final match was a tough loss to Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny.
The tournament held a special ceremony for him inside the Kia Arena. Monfils posted a touching social media tribute to Australia after the loss. He reflected on his first trip in 2003 and an ‘angry father’ over roaming bills. Known for his sliding shots and acrobatics, he is a one-of-a-kind athlete.
He plans to finish his career officially at the Paris Masters in November. Andy Roddick joked that he ‘doesn’t trust’ Monfils to actually stay retired. His presence on the tour brought joy and entertainment to millions. He leaves the sport with 13 ATP titles and a highest ranking of No. 6. Melbourne Park will never quite be the same without his high-flying antics.
3. MILOS RAONIC
The Canadian ‘Missile’ officially announced his retirement on January 12, 2026. He reached a career-high of world No. 3 and won eight ATP Tour titles. Raonic was the first Canadian man to ever reach a Grand Slam singles final.
He stated on social media that ‘the time has come’ to hang up the racquet. Injuries had kept him off the competitive court for most of the last year. His breakthrough occurred in Melbourne at the 2011 Australian Open. He reached the semi-finals in Australia during his record-breaking 2016. Raonic famously defeated Roger Federer to reach the Wimbledon finals.
He is widely credited with sparking the current tennis boom in Canada. He called tennis his ‘love and obsession’ in an emotional farewell note. The big-serving icon recently struggled with chronic Achilles and back issues. His wife, Camille, penned a viral tribute celebrating his long journey. Raonic leaves as the greatest male player Canada has ever produced. His retirement marks the end of the power-serve era he helped define.
4. ROB SHAW
The Canadian wheelchair tennis legend will retire during this year’s Australian Open. He announced on January 20 that Melbourne 2026 was his final pro stop. Shaw finished his career with an astounding 54 total ITF titles.
He is a two-time Paralympian representing Canada in Tokyo and Paris. He reached a career-high world ranking of No. 3 in quad doubles. Shaw is joining Tennis Canada as a high-performance consultant immediately. He will also work full-time researching spinal cord injury peer support.
He won the historic gold medal at the 2019 Para Pan American Games. His final tournament appearance in Melbourne will be his 11th Grand Slam. Shaw holds a PhD and is highly respected for his work off the court. He is the most decorated Canadian tennis player across all disciplines. His final match in Melbourne on Jan 27 will be streamed live to millions in Canada. He stated he is “ready to embrace a new life” beyond competitive tennis. The AO crowd will honored him with a special recognition during the quad draw.
5. SORANA CÎRSTEA
The Romanian veteran confirmed 2026 is her 20th and final tour season. She played an emotional final Australian Open match against Naomi Osaka this week. Cîrstea reached two Grand Slam quarter-finals during her long career.
She achieved her best major result at Roland Garros 2009 and US Open 2023. Known as a ‘giant killer,’ she has beaten Sabalenka and Rybakina. She reached a career-high of No. 21 and won three WTA singles titles. Sorana revealed her retirement plans via an Instagram post in December. She stated she never expected to compete professionally for 20 years.
Her farewell in Melbourne was marked by a tense on-court moment with Osaka. Osaka later apologized, recognizing the weight of Cîrstea‘s final Australian Open. She remains one of the most respected veterans in the women’s locker room. Cîrstea will play a ‘last dance’ tour around the world throughout 2026. She stated she wants to finish her career on her own terms and in health. Her departure signals the end of an era for Romanian tennis success.
6. VENUS WILLIAMS
The tournament’s most historic moment belonged to Venus Williams, who made history at 45 as the oldest competitor to ever grace the main draw in Melbourne. In a dramatic first-round battle against Olga Danilovic, Venus rolled back the years to win the first set and surged to a commanding 4-0 lead in the decider, only to fall in a three-set thriller as her younger opponent reeled off six straight games.
Despite the heartbreak of the scoreline, Venus left the court to a thunderous standing ovation, acknowledging that 2026 is the final chapter of a career that transformed the sport. Her presence served as a powerful reminder of her longevity, having debuted at the event nearly three decades ago in 1998.
Venus has said she still ‘loves the grind,’ but has acknowledged that 2026 represents her final chapter, with plans to play a select schedule before retiring at the US Open. Every step she now takes on court is treated as a historic celebration, with even her practice sessions drawing record numbers.
Beyond titles, she has championed equal pay and permanently transformed the WTA Tour. Her final bow in Australian Open was met with a roar equal to a championship win, and when she retires later this year, tennis will lose one of its most enduring legends.
7. NOVAK DJOKOVIC
While not officially retired, 2026 is widely rumored as his final Australian Open. At 38, he entered the tournament as the defending 10-time champion. He reached the milestone of 100 match wins in Melbourne this week.
Djokovic admitted he only has ‘a couple of years left’ at the top level. He is currently the last remaining active member of the mighty Big Three. Every match he plays in 2026 is treated by the media as a potential finale. He looked dominant in the opening rounds, dropping only 14 games. He is chasing the all-time men’s match win record held by Roger Federer.
The crowds in Rod Laver Arena have been extra vocal during his walks-on. He stated he is ‘living the dream’ but prioritizing family more now. Pundits believe he may call it quits after the US Open 2026 later this year. He remains the greatest statistical champion in Australian Open history. His presence in the 2026 draw is the biggest storyline of the tournament. Melbourne Park revealed a statue plan for him during this final stretch.
8. SARA ERRANI
The Italian veteran and former 2012 finalist returned to Melbourne Park one last time in 2026, though in a much different capacity than in decades past. Having officially retired from singles after the 2025 Roland Garros, Errani arrived at the Australian Open purely as a doubles specialist and, more importantly, a player-coach.
She made headlines by joining Jasmine Paolini’s coaching staff full-time for the 2026 season to oversee match tactics, a role she balanced while competing alongside Paolini as the tournament’s No. 2 seeds in the doubles draw.
Her campaign ended in a heart-wrenching second-round upset today, January 24, as she and Paolini fell to Australian wildcards Kimberly Birrell and Talia Gibson in a tense third-set tiebreak. Despite the loss, the 38-year-old was celebrated for her longevity and tactical brilliance, leaving the court to a standing ovation that acknowledged her transition from a “gritty” competitor to one of the most respected strategic minds in the game.
9. KAROLÍNA PLÍŠKOVÁ
The former world No. 1 and ‘Ace Queen’ entered the 2026 Australian Open on a mission to prove that her career wasn’t over after a devastating 12-month hiatus.
Following two separate surgeries on her left ankle that sidelined her for all of 2025, the 33-year-old Czech used a protected ranking to make an emotional return to Melbourne Park. Her run was defined by pure grit; she looked vintage in an opening-round win over Sloane Stephens and showed incredible resilience to reach the third round, her best Grand Slam result in three years.
However, the physical toll of her comeback became evident on January 24, as she struggled with limited movement and back issues in a straight-sets loss to defending champion Madison Keys.
Plíšková has been candid with the media throughout the week, admitting that she ‘lives day to day’ and that 2026 is likely her final full year on the circuit if her body cannot sustain the grind of the tour. While her deep run in Melbourne proved she still possesses one of the most dangerous serves in tennis, her exit marks the beginning of a long goodbye for one of the most consistent forces of the last decade.
10. ZHANG SHUAI
The Chinese veteran and former 2019 champion returned to Melbourne Park in 2026, continuing her reign as one of the tour’s most dangerous doubles specialists. While the 37-year-old suffered a tough first-round exit in singles against Australian breakout star Taylah Preston, she shifted her full focus to the doubles court alongside partner Elise Mertens.
Entering the tournament as the No. 4 seeds, the duo opened their campaign on January 21 with a commanding 6-4, 6-2 victory over Sorana Cîrstea and Anna Kalinskaya. Zhang remains one of the most beloved figures in Melbourne, having achieved some of her greatest career milestones on these courts.
Although she has faced retirement rumors after a long battle with injuries in 2024 and 2025, her performance this week proves she is still a elite competitor. She is currently active in the tournament, scheduled for a high-stakes second-round doubles match tomorrow, January 25, against the rising teenage duo of Iva Jovic and Victoria Mboko.
