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The full Australian Open 2026 draw is out and it delivers drama from the first serve. High seeds face tricky opens, local hopefuls meet grand slam stars, and the early rounds look packed with heavyweight tests.
Men’s draw: star clashes and early threats
The men’s bracket hands out tough first-round tests to several top names. Expect explosive rallies and tense battles from the tournament’s outset.
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- Alex de Minaur, the No.5 seed, opens against Matteo Berrettini, a former world No.6 known for his power and big-match pedigree.
- Ben Shelton, seeded eighth, could be in for a stern test against France’s Ugo Humbert.
- Defending champion Jannik Sinner meets the crafty Hugo Gaston, a player who can unsettle rhythm with touch and variety.
- Top seed Carlos Alcaraz is scheduled to play Australian wildcard Adam Walton in his opening match.
These early ties could shape the larger sections of the draw. Upsets in round one would ripple through the bracket.
Women’s field: seasoned winners and fresh rivals
The women’s draw mixes established champions with rising challengers. Several big names face potentially awkward opening matches.
- Madison Keys, the 2025 champion, starts against Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova.
- Two-time winner Aryna Sabalenka has a first-round match with French wildcard Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah.
Expect the early rounds to test consistency and nerves. Wildcards and qualifiers can pose early threats to seeded players.
Where to find the full brackets and coverage
For readers tracking every matchup, complete men’s and women’s draws are published and updated live. Media outlets are releasing bracket graphics and match schedules.
The Sporting News is one source that has posted the tournament brackets and will update results as the event progresses.
Key tournament dates and format for Australian Open 2026
Main draw play begins Sunday, January 18. The event runs across two weeks and wraps up on Sunday, February 1.
The tournament starts on a Sunday for the third straight year. Organisers say the shift helps reduce scheduling pressure.
Qualifying schedule and Opening Week events
Qualifying takes place from Monday, January 12 through Thursday, January 15. Players contest three rounds for a place in the main draw.
There are 16 qualifying spots available in each singles draw.
- Dates: January 12–15
- Format: three qualifying rounds
- Spots: 16 qualifiers per draw
Organisers call this period Opening Week. Melbourne Park will host exhibition matches, open practice sessions and a Kids Tennis Day alongside qualifying.
