As fans revel in the excitement of the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters, the Australian Open Carnival in downtown Shanghai is also attracting significant attention and crowds.

The 2026 Australian Open, the nearest major tournament to China, is scheduled for January 12 to February 1. Tom Larner, the Chief Tennis Officer of Tennis Australia, emphasized that ensuring a variety of experiences for the audience will continue to be a key focus for the tournament.

Fans can watch open training sessions at Rod Laver Arena and interact with star players up close. In addition, a newly introduced "A$1 million one-point challenge" will add excitement to the event. Spectators can look forward to a delightful three weeks featuring gourmet food and the concurrent AO Live music festival.

Shanghai-born Zhang Zhizhen, who delivered an impressive performance at the Australian Open last year, has praised the tournament's atmosphere.

Partnering with Tomas Machac, Zhang advanced to the men's doubles semifinals, marking the best result ever achieved by a male tennis player from mainland China in the history of Grand Slam doubles.

Returning from a shoulder injury, Zhang lost his first-round Rolex Shanghai Masters match to Sebastian Baez 6-2, 3-6, 4-6 last week. His protected ranking will allow him to play in the 2026 Australian Open.

The AO Carnival at Xintiandi has created a miniature version of Melbourne Park. Visitors can learn about the Grand Slam's history and participate in various games and interactive activities brought by the Australian Open's partners.

If you go:

Dates: Through October 19

Venue: Xintiandi Dongtai Li 新天地东台里

Address: 111 Ji'an Rd 吉安路111号