Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
The Australian Open organisers have announced the top seeds for the first Grand Slam event of 2026.
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz and Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka were officially named the top-seeded players for AO 2026, which begins Sunday at Melbourne Park.
The announcement came a day ahead of the tournament draw.
Two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner was announced as the second-seeded player, followed by Alexander Zverev (third) and 10-time champion Novak Djokovic (fourth). Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff were named the top three seeds in the women's draw for the second consecutive year.
America's Madison Keys returns to Melbourne Park as the defending champion. Seeded ninth, she is one of four American women among the top 10 seeds.
Sabalenka heads to Melbourne in red-hot form. The Belarusian claimed her second consecutive title at the Brisbane International last week and is primed to win her third AO title.
Meanwhile, Sinner and Alcaraz are the top two contenders for Australian Open glory, but the duo will be wary of players who could spring a surprise to break the cycle of domination.
Both players evenly split the Grand Slam honours in 2025, and the trend is likely to follow in 2026.
Among the contenders is Novak Djokovic, whose quest for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and 25th Major appears a long shot.
At 38, Djokovic hasn't been able to compete with the energy, strength and vigour of Sinner and Alcaraz, who have swept the Grand Slam titles between them for the last two years.
Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev is yet to convert his potential into a title-winning routine. The German ace, who was long dubbed as the next big thing and one who can end the domination of the 'Big Three', has yet to win a Grand Slam trophy.
