The Legend of OZ 2026

You're in the Commentary Box

Thanks ump. See you in Paris
Vixen 2 Feb

Prizewinners...

Legend of OZ - congratulations Jacob Oges on 90 pts. Flunked the 1st pick then never led until it really mattered and won by 5 pts. Wow.
Men's Draw - Ghis with 48 pts including a rather Ruud lucky dip :)
Women's Draw - tennisbat who smashed a half century.
Lucky Draw - tennisaward - drawn from those who picked every round regardless of wins or losses.
Top Group - Breadsticks and Bagels who must be Iga fans but didn't need her and win a box of balls for their club.
Caption Contest - Stoic for something about a Roo having more bounce than Novak!

Winners email Ump a postal address.
Thanks for playing in the 35th picking game. Fantastic tennis too.
See you later 😎
The Ump 2 Feb

Congratulations to the winners! But when the Ump is not gallivanting and is around to administer this fun competition, we are ALL winners! Big thank you for that.
virgcat 2 Feb

Thanks Ump for another well organised comp. Have to admit when Sabalenka took second set and raced to the lead I thought I was home…Nek minute…Cheers To be fair would have been a hollow win once Mussetti retired and I flunked the points. Cheers
FRC! 2 Feb

Pretty stoked for first ever victory after 7 yrs trying. Was an intense watch and late night. Great stuff Carlos. Thanks Mr & Mrs Ump for another great comp.
Jacob Oges 2 Feb

Thanks ump for another fab fortnight of tennis picking. Really appreciate the time you put into this. Thanks
Billy 2 Feb

Thanks Ump for all your hard work, good fun and 67th overall for me which is my best score yet :)
Julesski 2 Feb

All hail Jacob Oges - the 2026 Legend of OZ.

All prize winners coming soon...
But coffee first 😉
The Ump 2 Feb

It was a nickname my husband gave me as i always like to play tennis
tennisbat 1 Feb

I would like to congratulate Rybakina on her win. She has helped me -if I’m correct -win the woman’s section. Thanks to The Ump
tennisbat 1 Feb

No doubt about it tennisbat. You’re the women’s draw winner with a round half century not out.
But this is tennis? What’s up with the BAT business??
The Ump 1 Feb

Dang - I could have sworn I picked both my women's and men's final round at the same time yet I see I've been given a lucky dip for the men's (which was who I was going for anyway... but RIP my sets guess!).
virgcat 1 Feb

That’s not like you Virgcat. Then again you’re picking has been off colour too. Could be the lack of heat this summer 🥶
The Ump 1 Feb

The snakepit is a dark and unpleasant place. I hope never to return. At this point I’d like to seize on every opportunity to place blame externally rather than admit I may be losing it not just on the scoreboard. So sure, it's the weather 😬
virgcat 1 Feb

Thanks Ump and Mrs Ump for another sizzling competition which allowed me to reach my worst result since this brilliant idea started!!! I'll repeat my request for a wooden spoon for the worst performer which willl give me something to hang on my kitchen wall!! See you all next time - maybe!!Cheers Nancy
Nancy Jenkins 1 Feb

Ump’s got bad news for you Nancy. You’re not quite last! Past winner Sparkle is also having a shocker and 3rd last and has picked Djokovic. Desperate times call for desperate picks 😂
The Ump 1 Feb

Just 71 picked Rybakina but Elina didn't blink and beat Sabalenka at her own power game.
Poor Otautahi has a final day at the top of the scoreboard but a wee problem with the men means a certain dive into the Snake Pit.
Novak or Carlos? Who will bounce back better after frantic Friday? Sets could well be the decider for the Legend of OZ title.
Good picking tennis nuts
The Ump 1 Feb

Marshland TC take the lead in the Groups. But that race is far from over and SNOOKERS may be the winner :)
The Ump 1 Feb

If Carlos wins #3 beats #6 by at least 1 point, if Novak wins sets could decide it.
directorhsc 1 Feb

Just took a closer look at Novak pickers' sets all the same, so if Novak wins #2 wins.
directorhsc 1 Feb

The twists and turns of the game Ump Place your bets a great match in the women's not the result many need but that Tennis!..waiting to see who come out on top in the mens
Kez 1 Feb

Time to make my move up the leader board I go back to back still alive
Azatasi 1 Feb

Long, mr clutch and honeybooboo well done guys 4 way battle for the title here we go
Azatasi 31 Jan

Otautahi is smiling this morning but not as much as the 42 Novak pickers and lucky dippers. And the 17 Zverev pickers have had a sleepless night replaying just how their dreams were shattered.
10 hours of drama. Hope Carlos and Novak have something in the tank for the final.
The Ump 31 Jan

Best day of tennis watching ever. The men's final will be very interesting if they can recover. Not sure the older lad can do it in time? Surely Alcaraz will have too much speed...that's why we love sport. Anything can happen!
Phil10isAce 31 Jan

Have to say Useless was robbed. Not sure how he was allowed MTO. Sinner will be smiling all day!
FRC! 30 Jan

You might have got your pics the wrong way round 😢
jaymcee 30 Jan

I couldn’t change them ironically. I’d made the selections in quarters and because I already had Carlos selected in final it wouldn’t allow me to change no matter how many times I tried. Oh well. That’s life. It’s been fun. I actually think Rybakina will beat Sabalenka anyway but played not to be snookered. Happy days .
FRC! 30 Jan

Well you might just have outplayed everyone. I am snookered for the men’s !
jaymcee 31 Jan

Thank you for your comments. I reconsidered my finals pick after reading your comment. And it paid off. Wow.
Real & fine athlete 1 Feb

Well that was an insane semi
jaymcee 30 Jan

Popular Picks Men's semis
277 pickers have their hopes on Sinner. About double those picking Alcaraz.
Just 17 with their money on Zverev.
Let's pray they all stay healthy 🤲
The Ump 30 Jan

Hmmm went to change pick and couldn’t ? Thought picks closed after 12. Oh well I’ll stick with original selection 🤣 100 coin tosses later…
FRC! 30 Jan

Oh oh! FRC is overthinking it. That's Umps golden tip #2 broken.
But picks won't close until 1pm so if you must then you still can 😎
Pieday 30 Jan

Looking strong is FRC! who skips 3 points clear after the women's semis.
The Ump 30 Jan

Popular Picks Women's semis
197 backing Rybakina
Least popular - Svitolina with 32 but 3 of those are in the top 10 pickers. Going for broke maybe 🤔
The Ump 29 Jan

Think they're trying to avoid being snookered.
Stoic 29 Jan

Final's are going to make a huge difference with the double points. Wide open tournament!
SmashemNat 29 Jan

Picks closing at 3pm for women's semis
The Ump 29 Jan

Why no reward when Musetti had to retire! He was winning
Ally 29 Jan

Tennis is like boxing Ally. If you're not still standing at the finish you've lost 🥊
The Ump 29 Jan

Agree you deserved a losing bonus
Azatasi 29 Jan

Coin toss Sinner Alcaraz…I’m up to 50…!
FRC! 29 Jan

It really is a coin toss - I keep switching - head says one way and heart says the other 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️
jaymcee 30 Jan

FRC! takes the lead after the Qtrs thanks to Musetti's catastrophe.
AussiAinz eke out a narrow lead in the Groups from Parnell.

Women's Semi final today. Men's tomorrow.
The Ump 29 Jan

Poor Musetti...yikes. Did he injure himself mid game or had it prior and aggravated it?
SmashemNat 28 Jan

He pulled it early in the 2nd set apparently but managed to disguise it for ages 🤕
The Ump 29 Jan

Chandra Rubin talks to much never stops even while match in play . She must think we know nothing about the game . Also vervUS biased yesterday it was all about Coco while getting thrashed by Elina .
Scoop 28 Jan

Popular Picks Qtr finals
Men - Alex Zverev 198 picks 🤭
Women - Coco Gauff 183 picks 🤞

The Ump 27 Jan

183 not so happy now
jaymcee 28 Jan

Might even smash a racquet!
bobco 28 Jan

Otautahi is the 4th round leader after another day of seed domination. The first time since 1991 that the top 6 women's seeds have made the AO Qtr finals.
The Unforced Errors are still holding it together in the groups race.

Qtr final picks today - time to look ahead to the finals and don't get snookered 🤔🎱
The Ump 27 Jan

Commiserations to "Bring it On" Your Mr Fritz got well and truly Muzettied
Lele'sMate 26 Jan

Popular Picks Round 4
Men - Alex de Minaur - 90 picks
Women - Iva Jovic - 161 picks. 2nd time for Iva and a big load for the 18 yr old
The Ump 25 Jan

The popular picks pickers were spot on with Alex and Iva. Both brilliant.
The Ump 26 Jan

The Caption Contest is back. Skippy vs Novak. The caption with most votes wins an Aussie Open prize. Voting starts Thursday.
Give it a crack 😂
The Ump 25 Jan

Another Osaka supporter!! Drat !! and now I have lost a few more points it getting tougher to make picks for the winners. Just all part of the Fun
Mike W 25 Jan

How many of us had Osaka :( Dang it.
Phil10isAce 25 Jan

53 picked Naomi. Chin up. She'll be right mate
The Ump 25 Jan

Mr Clutch still on top after R3 and joined on 40 pts by DTB and Otautahi.
The Unforced Errors top the Groups. Are they worried about the inevitable😉
The Ump 25 Jan

Hey Ump, whats this business of making pick time in the middle of the day when were all out and about and not thinking of Picks which are usually in the evening or at night??? Just came home to check out when the next ones are due and heck, it was at lunchtime!!! Grumbling Nancy!!!
Nancy Jenkins 23 Jan

It's like the latest time Ump can make them. You can't make a pick if matches have already started. At 5pm today 4 of the men's and 4 of women's matches have started or finished. R4 starts on Sunday. You could make your pick now or Saturday night.
Stoic 23 Jan

Oh Nancy the AO is different so best you quit gadding about on the morning of picking days 😎
At least the matches are easy to watch now its back on Sky 😉
The Ump 24 Jan

Popular Picks Round 3
Men - Jakub Mensic - 69 picks
Women - Yulia Putintseva - 58 picks
🤔
The Ump 23 Jan

R2 leaders on 28 pts. Mr Clutch and pickandmix46.

It's also a tie in the Groups with AuzzieAinz and the The Unforced Errors both on a 21 point average. Will they live up to their name 🙄
The Ump 23 Jan

Popular Picks Round 2
Men - Tommy Paul - 50 picks
Women - Iva Jovic - 41 picks
🤞🤞
The Ump 21 Jan

The Popular Picks pickers are smiling this morning. Almost a perfect day too for the seeds with only 28th seed Raducanu spoiling the party.
The Ump 22 Jan

7 way tie at the top with 15 pts after R1.
Not a bad start overall pickers with 509 getting at least a point. 2nd round picks close 1pm today.
Good picking 🤔
The Ump 21 Jan

Watch out you 509 above me. I’m coming to get yous
Ball boy 21 Jan

Bring it
virgcat 21 Jan

Great start to the round cannot wait to see what you all come up with round 2
Azatasi 20 Jan

There will be no guessing of the sets for Kiwis in the Doubles as Erin is the only starter. Just chill and enjoy the US Open champ's skills.
The Ump 20 Jan

Fabian Marosan looked in fabulous form in Auckland and has rewarded a bunch of savvy pickers with an 8 pointer. R1 completes today so still time for a perfect 16 to top the scoreboard.
The Ump 20 Jan

Most popular picks for R1 are:
Mens - Sebastian Korda (43 picks and fighting back in the 5th set after being 2 sets down).
Womens - Olga Danilovic and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (both with 36 picks and playing tonight).
Overall 178 players were loved by someone.
Counts exclude lucky dips 🤔
The Ump 18 Jan

Not a great start for Popular Picks. Korda and Pavlyuchenkova both lost in nail biters. Danilovic squeezed past Venus Williams in 3 close sets.
What does that tell you 🤔😟
The Ump 19 Jan

I didn't see the Korda match....can't believe he lost! Shows you how competitive this sport is.
Phil10isAce 20 Jan

To Love is the best choice
SET123 18 Jan

Round 1 tips from the us open champion Gregory Dmitrov unseeded in sets And ann Li unseeded in 2 sets Your welcome
Azatasi 17 Jan

3 sets
Azatasi 17 Jan

i need to log in each day to make a pick correct?
ttwarrior1 17 Jan

No need to log in every day ttwarrior1 as most rounds take 2 days to play. If you forget the game will give you a Lucky Dip pick.
You can even pick all rounds in advance. Many have tried that but all have failed miserably 😀
The Ump 17 Jan

Draws will be loaded Friday arvo
The Ump 16 Jan

Thanks Ump, for what you do. It’s a great way to keep in touch with tennis and a great time filler/waster!
arky13 13 Jan

Wohooo we are back has anyone gone back to back ?
Azatasi 13 Jan

You cannot be serious Azatasi. Even Johnny McEnroe has failed to win it once!!
The Ump 13 Jan

Happy new year tennis fans. The summer of tennis can only get better with a picking game so get stuck into the Legend of OZ.

Good picking 😎
The Ump 13 Jan

Thanks for doing this. Love it~
Phil10isAce 13 Jan

Happy happy Carlitos. 4 tense sets to
see off Novak and now youngest
man to win all 4 slams. Vamos!

Red hot Elena Rybakina beats the odds
2026 Aussie Open Champion

Jannik Sinner - the face says it all

Elina Svitolina lost the semi final but
the 12th seed had a great tourney