Melbourne Park buzzes with anticipation as 38 American tennis players prepare for the Australian Open 2026 singles main draw. The men’s singles roster, led by Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton, gathered for a team dinner at Nobu restaurant, sharing moments on social media that revealed both their camaraderie and a lighthearted tradition in which one player becomes a “roulette victim.”
Taylor Fritz Reveals Credit Card Roulette Victim at Team USA’s Australian Open Dinner
The United States fields its largest Australian Open singles contingent since 1997, with 38 players competing across men’s and women’s draws. 20 American men received direct entry into the main draw, led by eighth seed Shelton and ninth seed Fritz.
On Saturday evening, the men’s singles players went for a team dinner at Nobu restaurant in Melbourne before the stressful fortnight ahead.
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Mackenzie McDonald documented the evening on Instagram Stories, showcasing a beautifully presented fruit plate on ice. The video captured the upscale atmosphere of the restaurant where the American contingent had gathered.
McDonald’s footage revealed the players enjoying the meal together, setting aside competitive tensions at the dinner table.
Fritz also shared a video that highlighted the dinner’s playful conclusion. The footage showed the American players participating in credit card roulette to determine who would pay the collective bill.
Fritz’s caption identified Ethan Quinn as the “credit card roulette tradition victim,” tagging Shelton, Tommy Paul, McDonald, Learner Tien, Alex Michelsen, Reilly Opelka, Emilio Nava, and Aleksandar Kovacevic.
The lighthearted moment captured the group laughing as Quinn discovered his card had been selected, providing a rare glimpse of relaxation before the intensity of Grand Slam competition begins.
Strong American Field Faces Australian Open Challenge
The 2026 Australian Open features the most American singles players at Melbourne Park in 29 years, with 20 men and 18 women competing for the title. Beyond Fritz and Shelton, the men’s draw includes six seeded Americans: Paul (19th), Tien (25th), Brandon Nakashima (27th), and Frances Tiafoe (29th).
The unseeded group features former top-20 players Sebastian Korda and Reilly Opelka, as well as rising talents Alex Michelsen, Jenson Brooksby, and Ethan Quinn.
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The opening week included practice sessions across Melbourne Park’s hard courts and the Million Dollar 1 Point Slam, won by amateur Jordan Smith. Saturday, January 17, hosted the inaugural Australian Open Opening Ceremony featuring the Battle of the World No.1s exhibition.
Roger Federer returned to Rod Laver Arena alongside Andre Agassi, Pat Rafter, and Lleyton Hewitt for the star-studded showcase that honored past champions who dominated their respective eras before Sunday’s main draw. The ceremony established a new tradition at the season’s first Grand Slam, celebrating legends who helped shape the sport’s legacy in Melbourne.