The 2026 WTA season is here!

Brisbane/Auckland
The WTA 500 Brisbane International has assembled an exceptional field. Seven of the top 10 players have entered, signaling the tournament’s importance in Australian Open preparation.

Aryna Sabalenka opened her title defense with a dominant performance, defeating Cristina Bucsa 6-0, 6-1 in just 47 minutes, while reigning Adelaide and Australian Open champion Madison Keys ousted compatriot McCartney Kessler in straight sets. How Keys will handle defending a majority of her ranking points this month is one of my biggest question marks of the entire Australian Summer.

The tournament’s appeal lies partly in its potential matchups. Sabalenka could face Keys in the quarterfinals, a rematch that carries extra weight after Keys defeated her in last year’s Australian Open final. Elena Rybakina and Amanda Anisimova both have the weapons to make deep runs, while Jessica Pegula continues to seek being one of the most consistent players on tour.

In Auckland at the WTA 250 ASB Classic, Elina Svitolina headlines the field and won a tough opener while Americans Emma Navarro (the No. 2 seed) and wildcard Venus Williams both lost their first matches in three sets. Two names to watch out here are Iva Jovic and Alexandra Eala, who are ironically doubles partners and downed the pair of Svitolina and Williams in the first round. To be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them battling it out in the final on Sunday and expect big seasons from both.

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United Cup
The United Cup is currently unfolding across Perth and Sydney, delivering big-time matches with national pride on the line. Team competitions bring out something unique in these players, intriguing dynamic between individual pressure and collective support. The three non-Brisbane Top 10 players competing are Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini.

Gauff started her campaign impressively for defending champion Team USA and opened with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory over Argentina’s Solana Sierra, however she dropped her second match in three sets to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Fortunately, she was able to win both mixed doubles rubbers when it mattered to send the Americans to the quarterfinals in Sydney.

Meanwhile, Swiatek faced a more challenging path in Poland’s match against Germany. Eva Lys, who had never won more than two games in a set against Swiatek before, came out HOT to claim the opening set. For a moment, an upset seemed possible, but Swiatek demonstrated some nerves of steel, battling back to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, in her first match of the year. Paolini couldn’t lead Team Italy to the quarterfinals, going 1-1 with a win over Leolia Jeanjean of France but dropping an important singles rubber to Belinda Bencic in straight sets.

Looking Ahead
These early tournaments serve as preparation for the main event. The Australian Open begins on January 12, and these warm-up events will reveal which players are finding their form at the optimal time. The tournament has increased its prize money to a record $111.5 million (approximately $75 million USD), a 16% jump from last year, providing substantial motivation for strong performances.

An unexpected storyline has emerged with Venus Williams’s return to Melbourne Park. At 45, she has accepted a wildcard for the Australian Open—her first appearance there in five years. While some may question wildcard allocation, Williams’s legendary career and contributions to the sport more than justify her inclusion. She’s been mighty competitive in her last few tournaments, but the fitness factor is the biggest asterisk when she competes.

Next week, we’ll highlight qualifying players that can make a dent in the main draw, but until then, on to links!

This Week in Women’s Tennis

The WTA profiled both Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah (who I mentioned as one to watch in 2026) and Emerson Jones ahead of the new season.

I don’t want to really give the “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition Aryna Sabalenka did with Nick Kyrgios any attention because it was simply a cash grab. Tumaini Caryol and Ben Rothenberg (below) said it best. However, Iga Swiatek rightfully defended the sport when asked about it at United Cup.

Still, Sabalenka continues to command a presence off of the court and looks to maximize her earnings as much as possible.

After a career-best season, Ekaterina Alexandrova aims for new heights in 2026.

Danielle Collins is continuing to rehab a back injury and have some fertility-related procedures before she comes back in the Spring and is making her commentating debut for Tennis Channel:

Congratulations to Venus Williams, who got married over the offseason with a stunning week-long celebration.

In podcast news, Tennis Channel has unveiled their Big T project, while Blair Henley will be joining Kim Clijsters as host of Love All:

Hsieh Su-Wei turned 40 and John Berkok celebrated the icon in style with 40 fun facts. He also highlighted Elise Mertens, who had a sneaky good 2025 season.

Polina Kudermetova has added Dinara Safina to her coaching staff on top of her recently adopting Uzbekistan as her new country.

The Australian swing always brings unknown faces to TV screens and it’s the same in New Zealand with Elyse Tse, who went from graduating from Washington State to facing Iga Swiatek in the same year.

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Tweet of the Week

lol

Five at The IX: Brisbane International

“Honestly, there is no difference. [It] doesn’t matter which tournament it is.  Every time, if I’m defending champion, if I lost first round last year, the goal is always the same, to bring my best tennis and to improve my game, and honestly, that’s it. That’s how I take it. I’m always just focusing on myself, on developing my game, and making sure that I’m 100 per cent there. That’s my goal and focus every time.” – Aryna Sabalenka

“Whenever I get a chance or any free time that I get, like, a day off, I really try and go out and have some fun and just turn my brain off of the tennis, which is super important. I have been training so much here, so we don’t get that much time off, but when I do, I just try and do something fun, because yeah, it’s just as important as all the training that I do to have just a mental rest and reset. And I’m very lucky that my best friend lives here, so it’s been fun.” – Amanda Anisimova

“I’m really excited. I think that there is obviously a lot of pressure that comes with doing as well as I did last year, but not very many people get to go into this swing being a defending [Grand Slam] champion. So I’m trying really just to appreciate that and enjoy the position that I have put myself in.” – Madison Keys

“I feel like you’re more motivated, fresher, at least in mind. Yeah, I love Australia. Always have positive memories and very good memories. So, yeah, I’m always happy to come and start the season here.” – Elena Rybakina

“All the girls like Pri [Hon), Ajla [Tomljanovic], they have. all taken me in from a young age and been really lovely to me. It’s great to have them here at tournaments like this, making me feel really comfortable. Also, you look at Ash  [Barty]and how she played and, you know, the confidence she had on court, it’s crazy. Same with Sam [Stosur]. I think definitely looking at those women, it’s really inspiring.” – Emerson Jones