Australian Open 2026 Draw Revealed: Alcaraz and Sabalenka Headline Seedings
Melbourne, 15 January 2026 – The Australian Open 2026 draw has been unveiled, with world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka leading the men’s and women’s singles seedings respectively. The draw ceremony took place at 2:30 pm local time, setting the stage for the first Grand Slam of the year, which begins on 18 January at Melbourne Park.
Top Seeds and Key Matchups
Alcaraz, aiming to complete the Career Grand Slam, is seeded first in the men’s draw, ensuring he can only meet two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in the final if both advance. Sinner is seeded second, with Alexander Zverev third and 10-time champion Novak Djokovic fourth. Lorenzo Musetti rounds out the top five, marking his rise to a career-high ranking.
In the women’s draw, Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff occupy the top three spots for the second consecutive year. Defending champion Madison Keys returns as the ninth seed, one of four American women in the top 10 alongside Gauff, Amanda Anisimova (fourth), and Jessica Pegula (sixth). Australian Maya Joint becomes the first home player seeded at the event since Ash Barty in 2022, at No. 30.
The draw features 32 seeds in each singles draw, with potential blockbuster matchups in the later rounds. Notable absentees include Qinwen Zheng, Ons Jabeur, Danielle Collins, Veronika Kudermetova, Lois Boisson, Yafan Wang, Jack Draper, Arthur Fils, and Holger Rune.
Key Facts / Stats
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Men’s Top Seeds | 1. Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) 2. Jannik Sinner (ITA) 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 4. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 5. Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) |
| Women’s Top Seeds | 1. Aryna Sabalenka 2. Iga Swiatek (POL) 3. Coco Gauff (USA) 4. Amanda Anisimova (USA) 5. Elena Rybakina (KAZ) |
| Prize Money | Champion: A$4,150,000 Runner-up: A$2,150,000 Total Pool: A$111.5 million (16% increase) |
| Wildcards (Men) | James Duckworth (AUS), Bu Yunchaokete (CHN), Patrick Kypson (USA), Kyrian Jacquet (FRA), Rinky Hijikata (AUS), Stan Wawrinka (SUI), Jordan Thompson (AUS), Chris O’Connell (AUS) |
| Wildcards (Women) | Emerson Jones (AUS), Zarina Diyas (KAZ), Elizabeth Mandlik (USA), Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah (FRA), Priscilla Hon (AUS), Talia Gibson (AUS), Taylah Preston (AUS), Venus Williams (USA) |
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Australian Open 2026 main draw start?
The main draw begins on 18 January 2026, with the men’s and women’s singles finals scheduled for 1 February 2026.
Who are the defending champions?
Jannik Sinner defends the men’s title, while Madison Keys defends the women’s crown.
How can I watch the Australian Open?
The tournament is broadcast live in Australia on Channel 9, with international coverage available on Eurosport and other networks. The draw was streamed live on the Australian Open website, YouTube, and Facebook.