Overview
- Play at Melbourne Park begins January 18, closing out the final week of warm‑ups in Adelaide and Hobart.
- Aryna Sabalenka retained the Brisbane title without dropping a set, stays world No. 1 and aims for a fourth consecutive Australian Open final after last year’s US Open triumph.
- Iga Swiatek took consecutive United Cup losses to Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic, said she is “super sore” but fine, and is focusing on recovery and technical improvements at the only major she has yet to win.
- Poland won the United Cup 2-1, Belinda Bencic went undefeated to earn MVP and re-enter the top 10, and Coco Gauff rose to No. 3 in the latest WTA rankings.
- Defending champion Madison Keys returns after beating Sabalenka in last year’s final, as tune‑ups flag health concerns with Clara Tauson retiring in Adelaide and Barbora Krejcikova’s knee flaring in Hobart.