If you’ve been staring at your TV remote wondering why your usual sports channel is showing a rerun of a cornhole tournament instead of live tennis, I feel your pain. Finding out what channel is tennis on today can be a total headache, especially when a Grand Slam is literally hours away from starting.
We are currently sitting in that weird "overlap" zone. Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. In the United States, we’re waiting for the clock to strike "tennis time" while half the world is already living in tomorrow.
The Big Answer for Tonight
Basically, if you are looking for the Australian Open, the action starts tonight, Saturday, January 17, in the U.S. because of the time difference with Melbourne.
ESPN2 is the place to be. They are taking over the airwaves starting at 10:00 PM ET. If you’re a night owl or just fueled by caffeine and a love for cross-court forehands, you can settle in for a long one. They’ll be broadcasting straight through until 3:00 AM.
But wait, there’s more. If you have ESPN+ or the ESPN Unlimited app, coverage actually starts earlier. You can catch the first ball being tossed at 7:00 PM ET. Honestly, if you want to see the "outside courts" where the real chaos happens, the app is usually a better bet than the main cable channel anyway.
What’s Happening Right Now (The Warm-Ups)
Before the big show in Melbourne officially swallows the schedule, there are still some stray finals and late-round matches from the warm-up tournaments.
The Tennis Channel has been the home for the ASB Classic in Auckland and the Adelaide International all week. Since today, Jan 17, is the final day for those events, you can catch "Center Court" coverage there throughout the afternoon.
Quick TV Guide for Saturday, Jan 17, 2026:
- Tennis Channel: Live coverage of Adelaide and Auckland finals throughout the day. They also have the Australian Open "Live at the AO" preview show starting around 5:00 PM ET.
- ESPN+ / ESPN Unlimited: Full Australian Open Round 1 coverage starting at 7:00 PM ET.
- ESPN2: Main broadcast for the Australian Open starts at 10:00 PM ET.
- TSN (Canada): For our friends up north, TSN2 and TSN3 are picking up the feed at 7:00 PM ET.
Why the Schedule is So Confusing
Tennis is the only sport that expects you to be a time-traveler.
In Melbourne, it’s already Sunday morning. That’s why you’ll see some schedules saying the tournament starts on the 18th and others saying the 17th. They are both right. It just depends on whether you’re standing in New York or standing next to a kangaroo.
Tonight’s lineup is actually pretty stacked. We’ve got Alexander Zverev (the No. 3 seed) taking on Gabriel Diallo on Rod Laver Arena. If you’re a fan of the "old guard," Venus Williams is making history as the oldest woman to ever play in the AO main draw at 45. She’s scheduled for the last match on John Cain Arena tonight.
Streaming is the New Cable
Let’s be real: trying to follow tennis with just a basic cable package is like trying to play with a wooden racket. It’s possible, but it’s not fun.
If you don't have a TV provider, you’ve basically got two options. You can go the FuboTV or DirecTV Stream route, which gives you Tennis Channel and ESPN. Or, you can just grab ESPN+.
The "plus" version is kind of essential for the Australian Open because it’s the only way to pick which court you want to watch. If there’s a random American qualifier playing on Court 15, ESPN2 isn't going to show it. But the stream will.
Beyond the Australian Open
While everyone is obsessed with the blue courts in Melbourne, college tennis is actually kicking off too.
If you’re a fan of the college game, NC State is hosting a doubleheader today in Raleigh starting at 11:00 AM. You won't find that on ESPN2, obviously, but most of these schools use Track Tennis for live streaming. It’s usually free, which is a nice change of pace from the subscription-heavy pro circuit.
Key Matches to Watch Tonight
If you’re wondering what channel is tennis on today specifically to see the stars, here is the "must-watch" list for the 10:00 PM ET window on ESPN2:
- Jasmine Paolini vs. Aliaksandra Sasnovich: The 7th seed kicks things off on the main court.
- Alexander Zverev vs. Gabriel Diallo: Follows the Paolini match.
- Aryna Sabalenka: The defending champ is playing the night session (which will be early morning for us).
- Carlos Alcaraz: He's the top seed this year and is playing Adam Walton. This will likely be the "breakfast" match for East Coasters, airing around 4:30 AM or 5:00 AM.
What You Need to Do Next
If you want to ensure you don't miss the first serve of the Grand Slam season, check your login for the ESPN app now. Don't wait until 9:55 PM to realize you forgot your password.
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Also, if you're using a streaming service like Fubo or Sling, make sure you have the "Sports Extra" add-on. Tennis Channel is almost always hidden behind that extra $10 or $15 a month paywall.
Tonight is going to be a marathon. If you’re planning to watch the Sabalenka or Alcaraz matches, you might want to squeeze in a nap now. The 2026 season is officially shifting into high gear, and the next two weeks are going to be a blur of yellow balls and late-night drama.
Check your local listings for any last-minute regional blackouts, but for 90% of viewers, the ESPN/Tennis Channel combo is your golden ticket for today.