ESPN has unveiled its lineup of on-air commentators for the 2026 Australian Open, promising extensive coverage of the first Grand Slam of the season. Fans can anticipate every match to be accessible in one convenient location on the ESPN App.
Katie George will take the reins as host during the tournament’s opening week, followed by Malika Andrews, who will lead the coverage during the second week and the championship weekend. A star-studded panel of play-by-play commentators will bring the matches to life, including Chris Fowler, Chris McKendry, Patrick McEnroe, Jason Goodall, and Mike Monaco.
Analysis and insight will be provided by a talented group of former tennis players, which includes icons such as John McEnroe, Chris Evert, Caroline Wozniacki, Mary Joe Fernandez, James Blake, Sam Querrey, Chris Eubanks, and CoCo Vandeweghe. Kris Budden will be reporting live from Melbourne Park, sharing updates, interviews, and feature stories throughout the event.
Linda Schulz, Vice President of Production at ESPN, expressed enthusiasm about the chosen talent, highlighting the importance of blending engaging storytelling with trusted expertise. She noted the excitement surrounding the addition of Malika Andrews and Chris Eubanks, along with Caroline Wozniacki’s return, which will enrich the tennis coverage.
For Spanish-speaking audiences, ESPN Deportes will feature commentators Luis Alfredo Alvarez, Jose Luis Clerc, Eduardo Varela, and Daniel Orsanic, while Agostina Larroca will serve as the reporter.
The 2026 Australian Open will kick off with qualifiers taking place from January 11 to 15. The main draw is set for January 17 to 28, leading up to semifinal matches on January 29 and 30. The women’s singles championship will be held on January 31, and the men’s singles championship will follow on February 1.
ESPN’s coverage will not only deliver live match action but also studio programming and in-depth analysis across various platforms, ensuring that tennis enthusiasts can enjoy every moment of the tournament via the ESPN App.