The 2026 tennis season begins with familiar faces poised to lead the way. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, known collectively as “Sincaraz,” head into the year as the dominant forces on the men’s side, having claimed nine of the last 10 Grand Slam titles between them. Aryna Sabalenka enters as the clear women’s favorite, carrying momentum from a strong off-season and her status as world number one.
The action starts Friday with the United Cup in Perth and Sydney. This mixed-teams event features top players such as women’s world number two Iga Swiatek leading Poland alongside Hubert Hurkacz, and men’s world number three Alexander Zverev heading Germany.
The United States brings Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz, while Japan includes a returning Naomi Osaka in her first United Cup appearance. Teams compete across groups with quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final set for Sydney, building early competitive intensity before the Australian Open.
Sabalenka kicks off her campaign at the Brisbane International from January 4-11. As defending champion, she faces a strong field including Australian Open winner Madison Keys, fourth-ranked Amanda Anisimova, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, and Mirra Andreeva.
Sabalenka arrives with confidence after winning her second US Open title in 2025, along with titles in Brisbane, Madrid, and Miami. She views Melbourne as special, having secured two titles there and reached the final last year before falling to Keys in three sets. “Winning it twice gives me confidence, but every year brings a new challenge,” she said. “I’m excited to return and see what I can achieve.”
On the men’s side, Alcaraz and Sinner skip traditional warm-ups in Australia. Instead, they face off in an exhibition match in Incheon, South Korea, on January 10—their only competitive hit-out before the Australian Open begins January 18.
The duo teased the idea of teaming up in doubles someday, highlighting their mutual respect. Alcaraz ended 2025 as world number one after overtaking Sinner, who retained the ATP Finals title in Turin. Sinner reflected on his year: “I feel like a better player than last year. A lot of wins and not many losses. And in the losses I had, I tried to see the positive thing and tried to use it to evolve me as a player.”
Alcaraz posted a 71-9 record in 2025 with eight titles, including the French Open and US Open. Yet Melbourne remains his missing piece—he has never advanced past the quarterfinals, falling to Novak Djokovic in the last eight last year.
The 22-year-old now works with Samuel López as head coach following his split from Juan Carlos Ferrero, who guided him since age 15. López, previously Ferrero’s assistant and familiar with Alcaraz’s game from prior absences, provides continuity as the Spaniard targets the career Grand Slam.
Sinner defended his Australian Open crown in 2025 and added Wimbledon among six titles, despite a three-month doping suspension. Ranked second, he seeks a third straight Melbourne title and remains a major threat.
Djokovic, at 38, starts what might be his final season. He withdrew from the Adelaide International due to physical readiness concerns and begins at Melbourne Park, chasing a record 25th major and 11th Australian Open victory.
He reached the semifinals at all four Slams in 2025 but went no further, acknowledging the challenge from the younger generation. “It will be very difficult for me in the future to overcome the hurdle of Sinner or Alcaraz in a best-of-five in a Grand Slam,” he said.
Other men to watch include resurgent Felix Auger-Aliassime (fifth), Taylor Fritz (sixth), and Alex de Minaur (seventh), all in the United Cup. Daniil Medvedev and Nick Kyrgios appear in Brisbane.
On the women’s side, Swiatek, Gauff, and Rybakina stand ready to challenge Sabalenka. Swiatek teams with Hurkacz in Sydney, aiming to improve on recent United Cup finals losses to the US and Germany.
With Alcaraz and Sinner driving the men’s tour and Sabalenka leading the women, 2026 promises continued high-level rivalry from the opening events through the Australian Open and beyond.
