The 2006 Australian Open was played between 16 and 29 January 2006.
Marat Safin could not defend his 2005 title, due to an injury he suffered in late 2005. Roger Federer won his second Australian Open title, defeating Marcos Baghdatis in the final in four sets. Serena Williams was unsuccessful in defending her 2005 title, losing in the third round against Daniela Hantuchová. Amélie Mauresmo won her first Australian Open title, defeating 2004 champion Justine Henin in the final; Henin-Hardenne was forced to retire at 1–6, 0–2 down due to a stomach virus. It began Henin-Hardenne's run of reaching the final of all four Grand Slam events, winning the French Open.