Overview
- Main draw and seedings were released in Melbourne, with play scheduled to start on January 18.
- Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 1, opens against Australia’s Adam Walton and can complete the career Grand Slam as the youngest man if he wins the title.
- Two‑time defending champion Jannik Sinner, seeded No. 2, begins versus Hugo Gaston and shares a half with Novak Djokovic, setting up a possible semifinal after Djokovic’s opener against Pedro Martinez.
- Aryna Sabalenka leads the women’s field as top seed with a favorable section and a projected semifinal against Coco Gauff, while No. 2 seed Iga Świątek starts against a qualifier with a potential quarterfinal versus Elena Rybakina.
- Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis withdrew before the draw because of a shoulder injury sustained at the Adelaide International.