Overview
- A packed two-week slate across Australia and New Zealand kicks off the 2026 season, with the Australian Open set to start on January 18 in Melbourne.
- The United Cup opens Friday in Perth and Sydney with multiple top‑10 players, including Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff, Taylor Fritz and Alexander Zverev.
- Brisbane features world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka as defending champion, with Madison Keys, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva and Amanda Anisimova also entered.
- Men’s No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and No. 2 Jannik Sinner are skipping early events to play a January 10 exhibition in Incheon before heading to Melbourne, with Alcaraz competing at his first major since splitting with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.
- Świątek enters with Wimbledon momentum and a Career Grand Slam in sight, drawing public backing from Paul Annacone and Andy Roddick, while the ATP introduces a new 10‑minute heat break for best‑of‑three matches at 2026 events.