Tennis is weird right now. If you're looking for live tennis on tv today, Friday, January 16, 2026, you've probably noticed we’re in that strange, high-stakes limbo. It is the final "pre-game" window before the Australian Open main draw explodes onto our screens this Sunday.
Honestly, today is the most underrated day for a tennis fan. It’s the day of the qualifying finals, the weirdly intense exhibition matches at Melbourne Park, and the literal "trophy day" for several warm-up tournaments. You’ve got people playing for their careers in the morning and superstars playing "hit and giggle" matches for charity in the evening.
If you just want to know what channel to flip to, the short answer is Tennis Channel for the tour finals and ESPN+ for the Melbourne chaos. But there is a lot more nuance to it than that if you actually want to catch the good stuff.
What’s Actually Happening Right Now?
Today is basically the grand finale of the "Summer Down Under" lead-up circuit. We have three main hubs of action, and they’re all in different time zones, which makes your TV schedule a bit of a jigsaw puzzle.
1. The Adelaide International (ATP & WTA 500)
This is where the real hardware is being handed out today. Adelaide is usually the last stop for the big names to find their rhythm. Today features the semi-finals and some finals (depending on your local time zone).
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- The Stars: Keep an eye out for players like Tommy Paul and Reilly Opelka, who have been grinding through the men's draw. On the women's side, Daria Kasatkina and Madison Keys (our defending Aussie Open champ) have been the ones to watch.
- Where to Watch: In the U.S., Tennis Channel has the exclusive rights here.
2. The ASB Classic (Auckland) & Hobart International
These are the smaller 250-level events, but don't sleep on them. Auckland is famous for its intimate atmosphere. It's often where you see a top-10 player get absolutely pushed to the brink by a hungry qualifier.
- Where to Watch: Again, Tennis Channel is your home for these. They usually rotate coverage, so expect a lot of "whip-around" style broadcasting where they jump from a tiebreak in Hobart to a match point in Auckland.
3. Australian Open "Opening Week" (Melbourne)
This is the big one. While the main tournament doesn't start until January 18, Melbourne Park is already rocking. Today, January 16, features the final round of Australian Open Qualifying.
- The Drama: These aren't just matches; they’re worth roughly $100,000 in prize money and a spot in the main draw. The desperation on Court 8 is often more compelling than a first-round blowout on Rod Laver Arena.
- The Exhibitions: We’ve got some "fun" stuff tonight too. Jannik Sinner is scheduled to play Felix Auger-Aliassime in an exhibition, and the "Red Bull Baseline" event is happening—basically a high-energy, fast-paced version of tennis meant to attract the younger crowd.
- Where to Watch: In the U.S., this is almost entirely on ESPN+. In the UK, you’re looking at TNT Sports (via Discovery+), and in Australia, Stan Sport is carrying every single court in 4K.
How to Find Live Tennis on TV Today Without Losing Your Mind
The biggest mistake people make is checking their local cable guide and seeing "Paid Programming" when they know a match is on. Because these matches happen in Australia and New Zealand, the "live" window for North American viewers is usually between 7:00 PM ET and 7:00 AM ET.
If you're waking up at 8:00 AM in New York, the live action is likely winding down. That’s when you need to look for Encore Presentations. ESPN2 usually runs a three-hour block of Australian Open highlights and replays starting around 7:00 AM or 8:00 AM ET.
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Streaming vs. Linear TV
Let’s be real: cable is dying for tennis fans. If you want the full experience of live tennis on tv today, you basically need a subscription to a streaming service.
- ESPN+: This is non-negotiable for the Australian Open. It’s the only place you can choose to watch "Court 13" specifically because your favorite obscure player is on it.
- Tennis Channel Plus: This is the standalone streaming app for TC. It's pricey, but it's the only way to see every single match from Adelaide and Auckland without the channel switching away to a commercial break right during a break point.
- YouTube TV / Fubo / Hulu: These are great if you just want the "main" Tennis Channel feed and ESPN.
Why the 2026 Australian Open Feels Different
There’s a different vibe this year, and you’ll see it in the matches today. For one, Carlos Alcaraz is the top seed, but he just ended his 7-year partnership with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. People are watching his practice sessions like hawks to see how he handles the solo flight.
Then there's the Novak factor. Djokovic is 10-time winner here, but he’s also cutting ties with the PTPA and focusing purely on the majors. Every time he steps on a practice court in Melbourne (which you can often see live on the AO YouTube channel or ESPN+ today), the crowd is massive.
And we have to talk about Venus Williams. At 45 years old, she’s back with a wild card. Seeing her prepare today at Melbourne Park is a reminder of why we watch this sport. It’s not just about the power; it’s about the longevity.
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The Time Zone Trap
If you are looking for live tennis on tv today, you have to do the "Melbourne Math."
- Melbourne is 16 hours ahead of New York.
- When it is Friday night for you, it is Saturday morning for them.
- The "Day Session" in Australia starts at 11:00 AM local time, which is 7:00 PM ET the previous day.
So, if you sit down at 8:00 PM tonight with a beer, you aren't watching "late night" tennis—you're watching the very start of the Saturday morning matches in Australia.
Actionable Steps for Today's Coverage
To make sure you don't miss the best points, do this:
- Check the "Order of Play": Go to the official Australian Open website or the ATP/WTA apps. Look for the "OOP." It tells you exactly who is on what court and when.
- Fire up the Multiview: If you have the ESPN App on a smart TV (like Apple TV or Roku), use the Multiview feature. You can watch four matches at once. It’s the only way to keep track of the qualifying finals while the Sinner exhibition is happening.
- Set your DVR for the "Encore": If you can't stay up until 4:00 AM, set your DVR for ESPN2's morning block. They usually curate the best stuff so you don't have to sit through the fluff.
- Watch the "Red Bull Baseline": It’s a bit gimmicky, but it's happening today/tonight and it's a great way to see the players in a relaxed, high-speed environment before the "No Fun Allowed" intensity of the Grand Slam starts.
The 2026 season is officially in fifth gear. Whether you're watching a qualifier fight for their life in Melbourne or a top-10 seed trying to hoist a trophy in Adelaide, today is the last day of "peace" before the chaos of the year's first Major. Enjoy the quiet before the storm.