Australian Open Countdown Begins: Top Stars Converge on Down Under for Two Weeks of Tennis Action
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As the new year unfolds, the world's top tennis stars are descending upon Australia and New Zealand for a packed two-week schedule of tournaments ahead of the Australian Open. The year's first Grand Slam event is set to commence on January 18 in Melbourne. The United Cup, a mixed teams event, is leading the charge in Perth and Sydney from January 5 to 11. The tournament boasts an impressive lineup featuring four of the world's top 10 players, including Coco Gauff, Taylor Fritz, and Iga Świątek. Meanwhile, the Brisbane International will host defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who will face off against 18-year-old rising star Mirra Andreeva. The Russian teenager has been tipped to be the next big thing in women's tennis and has already made a statement by winning the Indian Wells title in 2025. Notably absent from the pre-Australian Open tournaments are the world's top two men's players, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. The duo has opted to play an exhibition match in Incheon, South Korea on January 10, before joining the Australian Open preparations in Melbourne. Stan Wawrinka, a three-time major winner, has announced that 2026 will be his final year on tour. The 40-year-old aims to improve his current ranking of 157 and move back into the top 100 before his retirement. Other notable players set to compete in the warm-up events include Emma Raducanu, Naomi Osaka, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Novak Djokovic. The joint ATP-WTA Adelaide International will take place from January 12-17, featuring the 24-time Grand Slam champion. In a bid to address extreme heat during men's matches, the ATP has introduced a new rule for 2026, allowing for 10-minute breaks during best-of-three-sets singles matches. The rule is set to be implemented across all ATP events, including the Australian Open.
