Overview
- World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka arrives as the clear favourite after retaining the Brisbane title and says her focus is on improvement rather than defending past crowns.
- Iga Swiatek follows back-to-back United Cup losses to Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic by saying she is “super sore” but fine, with recovery planned and no specific results goals set.
- Defending champion Madison Keys fronts a deep U.S. contingent that includes No. 3 Gauff and No. 6 Jessica Pegula, presenting the main challenge to Sabalenka.
- United Cup results recalibrated momentum and rankings as Poland clinched the trophy in a deciding mixed doubles, and MVP Bencic went unbeaten to re-enter the top 10.
- Short-term fitness concerns linger before the Jan. 18 start, with Clara Tauson retiring in Adelaide with a hamstring issue and Barbora Krejcikova reporting a knee flare-up in Hobart.