Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are preparing for another dominant season in 2026, beginning with the Australian Open, while Aryna Sabalenka looks to build on her Grand Slam success. The new year kicks off with the mixed-teams United Cup in Perth and Sydney, featuring women’s world number two Iga Swiatek and men’s world number three Alexander Zverev.
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Top-ranked Sabalenka, aiming for a third Australian Open title, starts her season at the Brisbane International from January 4-11, competing against a strong field including Australian Open champion Madison Keys and fourth-ranked Amanda Anisimova. Alcaraz and Sinner, nicknamed “Sincaraz,” will play an exhibition in South Korea on January 10 as their only warm-up before the Australian Open begins eight days later.
Alcaraz, who finished 2025 with eight titles including the French Open and US Open, is yet to progress past the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park. Following a split from coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 22-year-old starts 2026 with a fresh approach. Sinner, meanwhile, capped a stellar 2025 with six titles, including a Wimbledon win, and a 58-6 win-loss record despite missing three months due to a doping ban. He feels stronger and more experienced heading into the new season.
Novak Djokovic, now 38, begins what could be his final year on tour at the Adelaide International starting January 12. Still chasing a record 25th major and 11th Australian Open title, Djokovic acknowledges the challenges posed by Alcaraz and Sinner, who have dominated the men’s tour since 2023.
Other top men’s players competing in the United Cup include Felix Auger-Aliassime, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Daniil Medvedev, and a returning Nick Kyrgios, ensuring high-level competition ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year.
On the women’s side, Sabalenka heads into 2026 as world number one, having claimed her second US Open title and additional wins in Brisbane, Madrid, and Miami. She is favoured for a third Melbourne Park trophy and her fifth Grand Slam, though Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina will present stiff challenges. Sabalenka remains confident, citing her previous wins in Australia as motivation for the new season.
In Brisbane, she will face top-10 contenders including Keys, Rybakina, Anisimova, Jessica Pegula, and Mirra Andreeva. Alcaraz, Swiatek leads Poland at the United Cup alongside Hubert Hurkacz, seeking redemption after last year’s losses to Team USA and Germany. The United States are represented by Gauff and Fritz, while Japan’s Naomi Osaka joins for the first time, adding further excitement to the competition.
With new rivalries, Grand Slam ambitions, and strong fields at both the Australian Open and United Cup, the 2026 tennis season promises high drama and thrilling performances from the sport’s biggest stars.
