The Australian Open 2026 is shaping up to be a tennis spectacle! Last year's tournament left us on the edge of our seats, and the seeds are set for another thrilling competition. Let's dive into who to watch and what to expect.
In 2025, we almost witnessed a dream final between the top two seeds, Sabalenka and Swiatek. However, Madison Keys had other plans! She pulled off an incredible upset, saving match point against Swiatek in the semifinals and then stunning defending champion Sabalenka in the final. This fairytale run earned her the title and a spot as the No. 9 seed in 2026.
On the men's side, we have the familiar faces of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner leading the pack, with Alexander Zverev as the third seed. Tennis legend Novak Djokovic returns as the No. 4 seed, beginning his 21st Australian Open campaign.
But here's where it gets interesting... Alex de Minaur is the highest-seeded Australian in the men's singles in 20 years, seeded at No. 6. And on the women's side, Maya Joint is the first Australian woman seeded since Ash Barty's victory in 2022.
Other Grand Slam champions are also in the mix, including Elena Rybakina, Naomi Osaka, and Emma Raducanu. On the men's side, Daniil Medvedev, a three-time AO finalist, is the only seeded player outside the top four to have won a major.
Here's a breakdown of the main-draw seeds for the 2026 Australian Open:
Men's Seeds
- Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) - 1
- Jannik Sinner (ITA) - 2
- Alexander Zverev (GER) - 3
- Novak Djokovic (SRB) - 4
- Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) - 5
- Alex de Minaur (AUS) - 6
- Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) - 7
- Ben Shelton (USA) - 8
- Taylor Fritz (USA) - 9
- Alexander Bublik (KAZ) - 10
- Daniil Medvedev - 11
- Casper Ruud (NOR) - 12
- Andrey Rublev - 13
- Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP) - 14
- Karen Khachanov - 15
- Jakub Mensik (CZE) - 16
- Jiri Lehecka (CZE) - 17
- Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) - 18
- Tommy Paul (USA) - 19
- Flavio Cobolli (ITA) - 20
- Denis Shapovalov (CAN) - 21
- Luciano Darderi (ITA) - 22
- Tallon Griekspoor (NED) - 23
- Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) - 24
- Learner Tien (USA) - 25
- Cameron Norrie (GBR) - 26
- Brandon Nakashima (USA) - 27
- Joao Fonseca (BRA) - 28
- Frances Tiafoe (USA) - 29
- Valentin Vacherot (MON) - 30
- Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) - 31
- Corentin Moutet (FRA) - 32
Women's Seeds
- Aryna Sabalenka - 1
- Iga Swiatek (POL) - 2
- Coco Gauff (USA) - 3
- Amanda Anisimova (USA) - 4
- Elena Rybakina (KAZ) - 5
- Jessica Pegula (USA) - 6
- Jasmine Paolini (ITA) - 7
- Mirra Andreeva - 8
- Madison Keys (USA) - 9
- Belinda Bencic (SUI) - 10
- Ekaterina Alexandrova - 11
- Elina Svitolina (UKR) - 12
- Linda Noskova (CZE) - 13
- Clara Tauson (DEN) - 14
- Emma Navarro (USA) - 15
- Naomi Osaka (JPN) - 16
- Victoria Mboko (CAN) - 17
- Liudmila Samsonova - 18
- Karolina Muchova (CZE) - 19
- Marta Kostyuk (UKR) - 20
- Elise Mertens (BEL) - 21
- Leylah Fernandez (CAN) - 22
- Diana Shnaider - 23
- Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) - 24
- Paula Badosa (ESP) - 25
- Dayana Yastremska (UKR) - 26
- Sofia Kenin (USA) - 27
- Emma Raducanu (GBR) - 28
- Iva Jovic (USA) - 29
- Maya Joint (AUS) - 30
- Anna Kalinskaya - 31
- Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) - 32
This year's Australian Open is shaping up to be a battle of the titans, with a mix of established champions and rising stars. Who are you backing to go all the way? Share your predictions in the comments below!
