Australian Open 2026 is around the corner, with the top seeds set to kick off the event on January 18. The qualifiers are already in swing, with the top seeds, who received byes, taking part in the practice sessions.
With the first Grand Slam of the year a week away, the singles draw is out, and heavy favourites, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic have learned their fates along with the other stars.
Players like Jack Draper, Holger Rune, Arthur Fils, Emil Ruusuvuori, and Thanasi Kokkinakis all have all withdrawn from the 114th edition of the tournament played on hard courts at Melbourne Park since 1988.
Australian Open draw as Djokovic, Alcaraz, & Sinner learn their fate
World No. 1 star’s journey for his first slam in Melbourne will kick off with a match against Adam Walton, while No. 2, Sinner, will start his title defence against Hugo Gaston. Djokovic, the 10-time winner of the tournanment will play Pedro Martinez in the first round as he attempts to extend his historic Grand Slam record.
Djokovic, who is seeded fourth, was placed in the bottom half of the draw, which also has the defending champion Sinner. The Serbian, who reportedly hurt his neck during the practice session on Wednesday, has not played an competative tennis since the Athens Open in November.
The 24-time major winner can face Terence Atmane, a qualifier, or a lucky loser in the second round. His potential quarterfinals oppinnet can be Taylor Fritz, Lorenzo Museti or Jiri Lehecka. In the semifinals, Djokovic can potentially play either Sinner, Ben Shelton, or Casper Ruud.
Italian star Sinner is looking to win his third in a row, while arch-rival Spaniard will attempt to deny the three-peat to his maiden Australian Open title. A look at the full men’s singles draw, which was revealed on Thursday.
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