The 2026 Australian Open qualifying draw is packed with excitement! Grand Slam champions return, and legends’ offspring join the competition.

The Australian Open organizers have announced the 2026 qualifying participants, with the event set to start on January 12.

Included are former world No. 3 Stephens and Kei Nishikori, a four-time Australian Open quarterfinalist. Unexpectedly, Kyrgios’s name is missing. This local star played several exhibition matches this month, showing strong form, and many expected him to receive a wildcard for the 2026 Australian Open.

On the women’s side, Polina Kudermetova, ranked 104th in the world, is the highest-ranked player in the qualifying draw, followed by Veronika Erjavec and Bolt. Additionally, Bai Zhuoxuan, Brengle, and Stephens will enter the qualifiers using protected rankings. Here are five key highlights from the 2026 Australian Open qualifying list:

1. Brady returns after two years away

Brady last competed in October 2023 at the China Open, where she suffered a knee injury in the second round. The American player is currently ranked 618th in singles and has secured entry into the Melbourne Grand Slam qualifiers through a protected ranking.

This 30-year-old last appeared at the Australian Open in 2021, reaching the final and finishing as runner-up, which boosted her career-high ranking to No. 13. Since then, Brady has struggled with injuries and underwent knee surgery in January 2024.

In the qualifiers, she will face tough opponents including Bolt, Townsend, and former US Open champion Stephens, making her performance highly anticipated.

2. Kyrgios absent

The 2026 Australian Open qualifying list released on December 24 does not include Nick Kyrgios. The former Australian No. 1 directly entered the 2025 main draw using a protected ranking and was expected to receive a wildcard for the 2026 qualifiers. However, the tournament has yet to announce the three men’s singles wildcards, and Kyrgios is still considered a likely recipient.

After returning to the Australian Open in 2025 following a two-year absence, the 30-year-old suffered a heavy first-round loss to Finley. He later expressed difficulty imagining playing singles at a home Grand Slam again but has recently confirmed his intention to compete in 2026.

With Australian players Thompson, Tomljanovic, and Alex Bolt listed in the qualifiers, and Kyrgios confirmed for the 2026 Brisbane International, his chances of receiving a wildcard remain high, especially as he was the 2022 Wimbledon finalist.

3. Stephens leads the women’s qualifiers

Stephens has entered the 2026 Australian Open qualifiers using a protected ranking. The 2017 US Open champion is the only former Grand Slam winner competing in next year’s Melbourne qualifying rounds.

The 32-year-old American lost in the first round of the 2025 Australian Open to Sabalenka and only played two tour-level events afterward, finishing the season with six straight singles losses. Stephens reached the Australian Open semifinals in 2013, and the qualifying competition will be fierce with players like Bolt and Townsend also participating.

4. Broks aims for Grand Slam main draw debut

The qualifying list also features several rising stars, including Alexander Broks, the 2025 ATP Next Gen Finals runner-up. The 20-year-old Belgian secured his first ATP tour-level victory by defeating Giron at the Cincinnati Masters, demonstrating notable potential.

Currently ranked 116th, Broks won the 2023 Australian Open junior boys’ singles title by defeating Learner Chen in the final. Although Chen avenged that loss by winning the 2025 ATP Next Gen Finals this month, Broks remains a promising talent. After falling in the first qualifying rounds in both 2024 and 2025, he is determined to claim his first qualifying win and secure his debut in a Grand Slam main draw next year.

5. Hewitt’s son receives another qualifying wildcard

Another notable name on the 2026 Australian Open qualifying list is Cruz Hewitt, son of former world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt. In 2025, Cruz entered the qualifiers with a wildcard but was defeated in the first round by Basharashvili.

Just turned 17 this month, Cruz Hewitt is one of nine juniors granted wildcards for the Australian Open qualifiers. Ranked 734th in the world, he will be the lowest-ranked player in next season’s men’s Grand Slam qualifying. Last month, he teamed up with his father to compete at the Sydney Challenger, reaching the mixed doubles quarterfinals. He will also participate in the Australian Open junior Grand Slam starting January 24, 2026.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Huohua)