Archives: Media Releases

Maya Joint amongst eight Aussies featured on Day 3, plus defending AO champions Sinner and Keys

Australia’s top ranked female Maya Joint leads a team of eight Aussies ready to take on the world across Day 3 of the 2026 Australian Open, tomorrow – Tuesday, January 20 from 10.00am AEDT on the 9Network.

Joint leads off the day session, when the 19-year-old aims for a successful start before a swag of Aussies are on-court in succession – Christopher O’Connell, Dane Sweeny, Taylah Preston, Daria Kasatkina, James Duckworth and Maddison Inglis against Kimberley Birrell.

With a thirst for a three-peat of AO men’s singles titles, Jannik Sinner opens his 2026 account in the night session, followed by 2019 and 2021 AO champion Naomi Osaka on Channel 9.

Defending AO women’s singles champion Madison Keys, AO23 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, enigmatic American Ben Shelton and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina will kick off their campaigns on 9Now, where every match is available live and free.  

Expert commentary throughout the tournament will be provided by Jim Courier, Jelena Dokic, John McEnroe, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Sam Stosur, Dylan Alcott, John Millman, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith and Alicia Molik.

Day Session	11.00am AEDT – Tuesday, January 20
	Maya Joint (AUS) [30] v Tereza Valentova (CZE)
	Christopher O’Connell (AUS) [WC] v Nishesh Basavareddy (USA) [Q]
	Dane Sweeny (AUS) [Q] v Gael Monfils (FRA)
	Taylah Preston (AUS) [WC] v Shuai Zhang (CHN)
	Joao Fonseca (BRA) [28] v Eliot Spizzirri (USA)
Night Session	Begins 7.00pm AEDT
	Jannik Sinner (ITA) [2] v Hugo Gaston (FRA)
	Naomi Osaka (JPN) [16] v Antonia Ruzic (CRO)
	Daria Kasatkina (AUS) v Nikola Bartunkova (CZE)
	Maddison Inglis (AUS) [Q] v Kimberly Birrell (AUS)
Stream – 9Now	Every Match, Every Court – Live and Free

Internationals in action on 9Now: Stefanos Tsitsipas, Madison Keys, Ben Shelton, Elena Rybakina

Throughout the 2026 Australian Open, fans will have the ability to watch every point of every match, live and free on the device of their choosing on 9Now.

Monday 19 January, 2026

De Minaur by day and Novak by night with Aussies everywhere on Day 2

It’s time to unleash the demon on Day 2  of the 2026 Australian Open, when Alex De Minaur leads a cast of Aussies on-court everywhere,  tomorrow – Monday, January 19 from 10.00am AEDT on the 9Network.

Australia’s top ranked men’s singles player will begin his AO26 campaign in a stacked day session that features fellow Aussies Jordan Thompson, Emerson Jones, Storm Hunter, Alja Tomljanovic, Aleksandar Vukic, Rinky Hijikata and Priscilla Hon.

The homegrown flavour continues into the night session on Channel 9 when Alexei Popyrin takes to the peoples court – John Cain Arena, against Frenchman Alexandre Muller. Plus 10-time AO champion Novak Djokovic sets his sights on a 25th Grand Slam title at 38 years of age.

Three-time AO runner up Daniil Medvedev, begins his hunt for an elusive AO title on 9Now, where every match is available to stream live and free, in a day session that also features world top 10 players Coco Gauff and Jess Pegula.

Expert commentary throughout the tournament will be provided by Jim Courier, Jelena Dokic, John McEnroe, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Sam Stosur, Dylan Alcott, John Millman, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith and Alicia Molik.

Day Session	11.00am AEDT – Sunday January 18
	Storm Hunter (AUS) [Q] v Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (ESP)
	Alex De Minaur (AUS) [6] v Mackenzie McDonald (USA) [LL]
	Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) v Yulia Starodubtseva (UKR) [Q]
	Nuno Borges (POR) v Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) [7]
	Coco Gauff (USA) [3] v Kamilla Rakhimova (UZB)
	Jordan Thompson (AUS) v Jaun Manuel Cerundolo (ARG)
	Emerson Jones (AUS) [WC] v Victoria Mboko (CAN) [17]
Night Session	Begins 7.00pm AEDT
	Alexei Popyrin (AUS) v Alexandre Muller (FRA)
	Novak Djokovic (SRB) [4] v Pedro Martinez (ESP)
	Donna Vekic (CRO) v Mirra Andreeva [8]
	Casper Ruud (NOR) [12] v Mattia Bellucci (ITA)
Stream – 9Now	Every Match, Every Court – Live and Free

Aussies in action on 9Now: Priscilla Hon, Rinky Hijikata
Internationals in action on 9Now: Daniil Medvedev, Jess Pegula, Andre Rublev

Throughout the 2026 Australian Open, fans will have the ability to watch every point of every match, live and free on the device of their choosing on 9Now.

Sunday 18 January, 2026

A world No.1 night session with Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka, plus the Aussie underdogs out to attack

The world no.1’s will headline Day 1 of the 2026 Australian Open when Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka take centre stage in night session on the 9Network, with coverage live and free tomorrow – Sunday, January 18 from 10.00am AEDT.

Sabalenka leads off the night session as she sets her sights on a third AO title, while Alcaraz begins his campaign for the only grand slam trophy missing from his cabinet straight afterwards on Channel 9. 

Throughout the day session, the Aussie contingent of Talia Gibson, Tristan Schoolkate and Jason Kubler will embrace the underdog spirit when they take on their higher ranked opponents, all before Adam Walton faces a herculean task against Alcaraz under lights on Rod Laver Arena. 

Men’s world no.3 and 2025 Australian Open runner up Alexander Zverev, women’s world no.7 Jasmine Paolini and former women’s world no.3 Maria Sakkari, begin their AO26 journeys during the day session on 9Now, where every match is available to stream live and free.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion, Venus Williams, is out to prove age is just a number in the night session on 9Gem, when the 45-year-old tour veteran becomes the oldest women to compete in the main draw of the Australian Open. Williams was a finalist in 2003 and 2017 and will compete as a wildcard this year.

Expert commentary throughout the tournament will be provided by Jim Courier, Jelena Dokic, John McEnroe, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Sam Stosur, Dylan Alcott, John Millman, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith and Alicia Molik.

Throughout the 2026 Australian Open, fans will have the ability to watch every point of every match, live and free on the device of their choosing on 9Now.

Day Session	11.00am AEDT – Sunday January 18
	TALIA GIBSON (AUS) v ANNA BLINKOVA
	TRISTAN SCHOOLKATE (AUS) v CORENTIN MOUTET (FRA) [32]
	JASON KUBLER (AUS) [Q] v FRANCES TIAFOE (USA) [29]
	ARTHUR FERY (GBR) [Q] v FABIO COBOLLI (ITA) [20]
	ALEXANDER ZVEREV (GER) [3] v GABRIEL DIALLO (CAN)
Night Session	Begins 7.00pm AEDT
	ARYNA SABALENKA [1] v TIANTSOA RAKOTOMANGA RAJAONAH (FRA) [WC]
	CARLOS ALCARAZ (ESP) [1] v ADAM WALTON (AUS)
	VENUS WILLIAMS (USA) [WC] v OLGA DANILOVIC (SRB)
	EMMA RADUCANU (GBR) [28] v MANANCHAYA SAWANGKAEW (THA)
Stream – 9Now	Every Match, Every Court – Live and Free

Saturday 17 January, 2026

AUSTRALIAN OPEN SPECIAL EDITION ALSO INCLUDES FEATURES ON HOW SUPER COACH DARREN CAHILL KEEPS PRODUCING WINNERS AND WHY RUSSIAN-BORN DARIA KASATKINA TURNED TO AUSTRALIA

Australian tennis super star Alex de Minaur opens up on his dogged rise to the world’s top 10 rankings, and how he’s bounced back from a 2025 that left him in a “very dark spot”, in a revealing cover story in Good Weekend magazine’s annual Tennis issue.

As the world’s best tennis players descend on Melbourne Park for the Australian Open, Tennis magazine celebrates the 2026 ‘Happy Slam’ and will be published through The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald this Saturday, January 17, produced by Good Weekend. It will also appear online in the BrisbaneTimes and WAtoday.

The issue features a mix of stories, profiles and lifestyle content which reflect the Australian Open’s unique blend of sport and spectacle. It is the fourth year the edition has been published.

De Minaur tells Good Weekend deputy editor Konrad Marshall that after a bruising last year that saw him lose in the ATP Finals in Turin to Lorenzo Musetti, he was in a dark place but is more determined than ever to make 2026 a watershed year. 

In sport, results mean a lot, right? And this was a feeling after having a couple of matches not going my way, and me putting myself in great positions to succeed, but not being able to get over the line and take that next step,” says de Minaur. “That was a very tough moment of dealing with not only the loss, but the way it happened. As well as I’ve played this whole year, there’s matches and situations that I need to improve on for me to get there, and I stumbled in a pretty big tournament.”

“I think it probably is more difficult to handle knowing how close you are, seeing it within grasping distance, but you just somehow are not able to get there. It just frustrates you even more that you can’t take that next step.”

Elsewhere in the issue, Marc McGowan delves into the methods used by Aussie ‘super coach’ Darren Cahill that has resulted in four grand slam winners, all ranked No.1, during a long and distinguished career; and Billie Eder interviews Russian-born player Daria Kasatkina, who speaks candidly about the events which led her to switch her nationality to Australian in 2025.

With millimetres being the difference between winning and losing, the role of data now plays a huge role in tennis. Once only the wealthiest players could afford to crunch the numbers on their opponents, but Tennis magazine takes a look at how easily accessible data is now being widely used to gain a winning edge.

Stephen Brook reports on the ongoing evolution of the AO’s lifestyle offerings from dining, to entertainment and fashion, while Damien Woolnough offers fashion tips and Frances Mocnik rounds up gorgeous tennis bracelets for those wanting to have a ‘glam slam’.

“The Australian Open is a focal point for Australians each January as the world’s tennis greats descend on Melbourne Park,” says Good Weekend editor Melissa Stevens. “Our annual Tennis magazine aims to capture the spirit of the AO as the sport’s “happy slam”.

“This is the fourth year we’ve published Tennis and it’s a real joy for the Good Weekend team to curate a deep dive into one of the most popular sporting events of the year. This edition is a must-read for any fan of tennis.”

Tennis illustrates the power of the Nine Group, which is uniquely placed to provide brands with optimal access to the action, with an enviable media ecosystem that allows marketers to call game, set and match on their campaigns.

Nine’s Commercial Director – Publishing Sales, Ashleigh Thomas, said: “Tennis magazine is an outstanding example of how Nine can extend partnership opportunities. Written by some of the country’s most regarded feature journalists, Tennis provides a prestige environment for brands to connect with a highly-engaged audience who are interested in one of the most loved events on the sporting calendar.”  

For more information:
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager  
amotte@nine.com.au 

It’s game on for the Aussie summer of tennis in 2026 when Nine provides the most comprehensive coverage of the Australian Open available anywhere, when the first Grand Slam of the year begins on Sunday, January 18.

Nine will hit different when over 500 hours of live and exclusive coverage with every single match from Melbourne Park, including qualifying and exhibition matches, will be available on Channel 9HD, 9GemHD and to stream on 9Now, combined with every second of the action on Stan Sport, will giving viewers the best seat in the house.

Leading the men’s singles draw is current men’s world no.1 Carlos Alcaraz, reigning champion Jannik Sinner who is hunting a hat-trick of AO men’s singles titles, and the king of Melbourne Park – 10 time champion Novak Djokovic. 

Women’s top seed and world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka is back to avenge her loss in the 2025 final, Iga Swiatek (No.2) of Poland chasing her first AO championship after her 2025 Wimbledon win, in front of a classy pack of American challengers led by 2025 AO Champion Madison Keys, Amanda Anisimova (No.3), Coco Gauff (No. 4) and Jess Pegula (No. 6).

Chasing a home win is Aussies Alex de Minaur (No. 6), Maya Joint (No. 32), Daria Kasatkina (No.40), Alexei Popyrin (No. 50), Adam Walton (No.77), Ajla Tomljanovic (No.78), Aleksander Vukic (No.87), Tristan Schoolkate (No.97) and Kim Birrell (No.106) and Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Aussie wildcards Emerson Jones, Rinky Hijikata, James Duckworth, Priscilla Hon, Taylah Preston, Talia Gibson and Christopher O’Connell will all get a shot at pulling off underdog victories as they fight for a place in the final week of competition. While the always entertaining Nick Kyrgios will feature in the Men’s doubles draw.

Nine’s Wide World of Sports has assembled a top notch team of hosts and expert commentators to cover every corner of Melbourne Park.

Expert commentary throughout the tournament will be provided by Jim Courier, Jelena Dokic, John McEnroe, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Sam Stosur, Dylan Alcott, John Millman, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith and Alicia Molik. 

On Channel 9, the hosts are James Bracey, Sylvia Jeffreys and Tony Jones, while on 9Gem Georgie Parker, Nick McArdle and Brett Phillips will host the broadcast.

Capturing all the colour of the event will be reporters Bronte Gildea and Marlee Silva. Additional off-court reporting will come from Natalie Yoannidis and Sam McClure. Plus match callers Brenton Speed and Peter Psaltis.

Andy Lee returns with Sophie Monk and Mike Goldstein when they put the players to the test in a special Australian Open edition of The Hundred.

Nine’s Director of Sport, Brent Williams, said: “The AO is the greatest sporting event and festival of fun on the Australian summer calendar.”

“The world’s best are making their way to Melbourne for 15 days and nights of brilliant on court action, while around the grounds the entire precinct comes to life with a thriving festival of food, music and family entertainment. What could be better than that! 

“The action never stops and you won’t miss a moment with unprecedented access and comprehensive coverage of the biggest matches and moments on Channel 9, streaming platforms 9Now and Stan Sport, plus additional coverage on 9News.”   

Opening week action will be available on Channel 9 with the Million Dollar 1 point slam on Wednesday, De Minaur v Alcaraz on Thursday, and the inaugural AO Opening Ceremony with legends Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, Pat Rafter and a performance from beloved rock band Crowded House on Saturday at 7.30pm AEDT, on Channel 9. 

The fight for a Grand Slam berth is available for free when every game of the Australian Open qualifying series is available live on 9Now from Monday, January 12. 

Stream the AO free on 9Now
Throughout AO26, fans will have the ability to watch every point of every match, live and free on the device of their choosing on 9Now. This includes a comprehensive highlights offering with the highlights of matches with Australian players, with full replays of finals matches, Match Highlights, AO Daily Top Moments and all the fun from the AO Morning Serve. 

9Now will also bring every match of the main draw, Juniors Girls and Boys Championships, Wheelchair Championships, the Junior Wheelchair Championships, the Asia Pacific Elite 14 and Under, AO25 Deaf Championships and the AO25 Intellectual Disability Championships.

Stan Sport has every match live and on demand with 4K. Grand Slam Daily hosted by Chris Stubbs streaming every morning throughout the tournament, exclusively on Stan Sport.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2026
LIVE AND FREE ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW
STAN SPORT: EVERY MATCH LIVE AND ON DEMAND WITH 4K
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18

Monday 12 January, 2026

Yana and Kye, who were bitter exes and never thought they would end up back together, let alone united on national television, have been crowned the winners of Love Island Australia 2025.

In a tear-jerking experience for the two Islanders, they have come out the other side as an exclusive couple, thanks to Love Island Australia and the theme this season, “wicked sins”, forcing them to come face to face with their past and work through their challenges singly and as a pair.

Yana, from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, said: “Sharing my Love Island journey with Kye has been incredible. We have grown so much together throughout this experience. Kye has been my rock in the Villa, and we’ve learnt so much about ourselves, which has led us to a deeper understanding and level of respect for each other. I couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.”

Kye, also from the Northern Beaches, said: “Walking out of the Villa with Yana and a win feels wonderful. She brought out the best in me. I’m grateful for every moment we shared, for all the life lessons and personal growth, and I can’t wait to start our life on the outside together. Stay tuned for our next chapter.”

The top five couples were tested as individuals with the question: who was in it for love, and who wanted the money? With $20,000 up for grabs from host Sophie Monk to leave the Villa immediately, in a Love Island Australia first, bombshell Dylan shocked everyone by choosing to take the money, reducing the final cash prize for Yana and Kye to $30,000.

Season seven has been the most watched Love Island Australia series and has received the highest number of finale votes. It has seen significant year-on-year growth with the launch episode recording a whopping 680,000 viewers on 9Now. Season to date, Love Island Australia 2025 has recorded an average BVOD audience of 627,000, and 959M minutes streamed.

Love Island Australia is produced by ITV Studios Australia for the 9Network.

For further information, please contact:
Madison Long
9Network Publicity
madison.long@nine.com.au

Tuesday 15 December, 2025

The battle for swimming world supremacy is ready to explode when Australia vs The World is exclusive, live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now from 7.30pm tomorrow night – Friday, December 12.

Under lights at the Valley Pool in Brisbane, Team Aus will roll out the heavy artillery when Olympic champions Kaylee McKeown, Mollie O’Callaghan and Cam McEvoy lead the way for the Dolphins against Team World and their line up of champions including Thomas Ceccon (Italy), Duncan Scott (Great Britain) and Marrit Steenbergen (Netherlands). 

Poolside for Nine’s Wide World of Sports is Olympic and World champions Ariarne Titmus and Cate Campbell, with Giaan Rooney and Mat Thompson in commentary and their host Emma Lawrence.

Titmus said: “This is going to be one huge night of the world’s best coming together to try and beat us in our own backyard. Fast racing and edge of your seat energy. 

“Get ready to witness some of the best in the world race back to back, to back, events at a world class meet like nothing we’ve ever seen before.”

For further information, please contact:
Ryley McKay
Senior Publicist and Digital Manager – Sport

Thursday 11 December, 2025

Nine today announces The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age will reopen its bureau in Beijing after six years following long-running discussions with the Chinese Government and the embassy in Canberra.

Executive Editor Luke McIlveen said the presence of the Herald and The Age in China was essential to giving readers the full picture of the global superpower on our doorstep.

“China is obviously the biggest player in our region and a true global superpower – economically, militarily and technologically.

“The bureau will report without fear or favour what makes China such an extraordinary country. Our return to Beijing only strengthens our commitment to having the best foreign correspondents in key global cities.”

Lisa Visentin, currently based in Singapore, will take up her Beijing posting in February 2026, filing stories for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times and WAtoday.

“Having spent the past two years reporting on China from the region, Lisa already has a deep understanding of its growing influence in the Asia Pacific, its complexities and what it means for the strategic balance of power, in particular for Australia. Being on the ground in Beijing will only deepen that insight for our readers,” said McIlveen. 

The Herald and The Age have a long tradition covering China. Margaret Jones was the first Herald and Age journalist based in China since World War Two, establishing a bureau in Beijing in 1973. Gough Whitlam once said that Jones “pioneered the Fairfax office in Beijing. Readers fully understood Australian foreign policy”.

Jones was succeeded by Yvonne Preston in 1975 (who returned for a second posting in the early 1990s). Other correspondents have included such respected bylines as Philip Wen, John Garnaut, Peter Ellingsen, Mark Baker, Hamish McDonald and Stephen Hutcheon.

Kirsty Needham was the last Herald/Age journalist based full-time in China, from 2017 to January 2020. Since then, Eryk Bagshaw and Lisa Visentin have covered North Asia from bases in Singapore and elsewhere, taking as many trips into China as possible.

For further information, please contact:
Adrian Motte
Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing
amotte@nine.com.au

Wednesday 10 December, 2025

Australia’s queen of Christmas, Delta Goodrem, is unwrapping her biggest festive celebration yet when Christmas with Delta returns on Sunday, December 21 at 7.00 pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

After taking viewers to Los Angeles last year, Delta is bringing the magic back to home soil – transforming Channel 9 into a stylish, sparkling North Pole Down Under, complete with dazzling performances, surprise guests and all the festive cheer of the season.

This year’s spectacular is stacked with talent, featuring appearances and performances from Cody Simpson, Jon Bon Jovi, Jordin Sparks, Tinie Tempah, Morgan Evans, Amy Shark, David Campbell, Gregory Porter, Pete Murray, Danielle Spencer and plenty more festive favourites.

In true Aussie Christmas fashion, viewers can expect surprise drop-ins throughout the night, including 5SOS. And of course – it wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa. He’s back, and he’s bringing the cheer.

There’s also a cheeky festive treat when Samantha Jade, Sophie Monk, Amy Shark and Delta team up for a Jingle Bell Rock performance with a playful nod to the iconic Mean Girls Christmas scene.

The celebration continues with a 31-member Kids Choir, high-energy Winter Wonderland dancers, elegant ballroom performers, and a show-stopping cameo from Marty and Doc from Back to the Future The Musical.

Delta said: “I’m so excited to bring our Christmas special home this year. We’ve created our own North Pole in Australia – fun, festive and full of heart. Sharing the stage with so many incredible artists and friends makes this year feel extra special. I can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ve put together.”

This year’s special also features moving musical moments supporting The Delta Goodrem Foundation through a partnership with St Vincent’s Hospital, celebrating the spirit of community, generosity and togetherness.

Delta added: “Christmas has this beautiful way of bringing people closer. It’s a moment to reflect, to lift each other up and to celebrate the joy in the everyday through singing along to your favourite Christmas song. My hope is that this show brings a little sparkle and a lot of love into homes right across the country.”

Packed with standout duets, festive favourites, big laughs and joyful surprises, Christmas with Delta promises an uplifting night of music, magic and holiday sparkle – all wrapped up in a spectacular Aussie Christmas.

For further information, please contact:
Alex Dyer
9Network Publicity
alex.dyer@nine.com.au 

Wednesday 10 December, 2025