The 2026 Australian Open is just a week away, with the qualifiers already kicked off. The top-seeded players have taken the court to practice for their Grand Slam bid. Ahead of the first major of the year, the draw was released on Thursday, which features some exciting matchups.
World No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka, is all set to face Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah, a French wildcard in the first round of the tournament. The Belarusian, who lost the final against Madison Keys last year, will return with some extra motivation.
Australian Open 2026 women’s singles draw as Sabalenka, Swiatek, Gauff learn their fate
Sabalenla has won the major in Melbourne twice, once in 2023 and the other one in 2024. She could meet British Emma Raducanu in the third round for the second time in a Grand Slam in the last seven months.
Women's 2025 winner, Keys, opens her bid to defend the title against Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova. Meanwhile, the blockbuster has also featured a potentially iconic second-round matchup between World No. 3 Coco Gauff and former World No. 1 player Venus Williams.
Venus has not appeared in the tournament since her last appearance in 2021 and is eager to make her 22nd appearance in Melbourne. With the draw already revealed, a look at the full Australian Open women’s singles draw, below.