It blew hot and cold, this often-routine Australian Open, but the home stretch caught fire, and you could not take your eyes off it. Both men’s semifinals went the distance on one of the best tennis Fridays in history. Carlos Alcaraz, a young man still in a hurry, found a way to beat cramps and Alexander Zverev. He then completed his career Grand Slam against a resurgent Novak Djokovic, a sentimental favorite at last in Melbourne at age 38 after getting deported in 2022 and unjustly booed in 2025.
Elena Rybakina won the women’s singles, rallying to beat No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a big-bang contrast of smiles that was a compelling sequel to their 2023 final in Melbourne. Sabalenka won that duel in three sets but has now lost four consecutive three-set major finals. Her composure does not yet match her power.
But the photographers kept their cool, capturing shadow and light. Some shots to remember:
Autographed laundry
Even Alcaraz’s shadow gets to everything.