A packed fortnight of tournaments Down Under sets the stage for Melbourne, featuring marquee names, a rising teen, and a notable withdrawal by Alcaraz and Sinner.
The 2026 tennis season launches into high gear with a whirlwind fortnight of tournaments across Australia and New Zealand, serving as the final tune-up for the Australian Open beginning January 18 in Melbourne.
The United Cup, a marquee mixed-team event in Perth and Sydney starting Friday, headlines the opening week. The competition features top-10 talent including Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff, Alexander Zverev, and Alex de Minaur, alongside comebacking stars Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu. It also marks the beginning of Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka’s farewell tour. “I’m happy with the decision and feeling at peace with that,” said the three-time major champion.
Simultaneously, the Brisbane International boasts a formidable women’s field led by defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. All eyes are on a potential showdown with 18-year-old Russian phenom Mirra Andreeva, who is fast becoming a leading rival. “Maybe the rivalry is a little bit there but she is leading… unfortunately… for now,” Andreeva acknowledged.
Notably absent from these early events are the men’s top two seeds. World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and reigning Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner will instead play a January 10 exhibition in South Korea before arriving in Melbourne. Alcaraz will do so without his longtime coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, following their recent split.
The action intensifies in week two with Novak Djokovic headlining the Adelaide International, alongside ATP and WTA events in Auckland and a WTA 250 in Hobart. Exhibitions in Melbourne featuring Nick Kyrgios and Frances Tiafoe will round out the pre-Slam festivities.
A new ATP heat rule also debuts this season, introducing 10-minute breaks for men during extreme conditions in best-of-three-set matches—a long-standing WTA protocol.
With a blend of team competition, emerging rivalries, and veteran farewells, the Australian summer sets a compelling stage for the year’s first Grand Slam.
