Australian Open 2026 wildcards have now been fully confirmed, completing the singles main-draw fields for the season’s first Grand Slam, which begins Sunday, 18 January at Melbourne Park.
Former champion Stan Wawrinka headlines the men’s wildcard selections, returning to Melbourne for what he has announced will be his final season on the ATP Tour.
Wawrinka captured the Australian Open title in 2014, the first of his three Grand Slam victories, and later reached additional semifinals in 2015 and 2017, as well as the quarterfinals in 2020.
The Swiss veteran is joined by Australians Jordan Thompson and Christopher O’Connell, who were awarded the final two men’s wildcards.
Both players are working their way back from injury-interrupted 2025 seasons.
Thompson, a former world No.26, reached the fourth round at Wimbledon while managing back issues, while O’Connell returns to the Australian Open main draw for the eighth time, with his best result a third-round showing in 2022.
Additional men’s wildcards were awarded to James Duckworth, Rinky Hijikata, Bu Yunchaokete, Kyrian Jacquet, and Patrick Kypson, rounding out a diverse group featuring established names, returning Australians, and emerging international talent.
On the women’s side, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams leads the wildcard list, adding star power and experience to the women’s draw.
Williams, a two-time Australian Open finalist, remains one of the sport’s most recognizable figures and continues to attract global attention whenever she competes on a major stage.
The remaining women’s wildcards were largely awarded to Australian players, reflecting Tennis Australia’s continued emphasis on developing domestic talent while maintaining a strong home presence at the tournament.
Men’s Singles Wildcards
- Stan Wawrinka (SUI)
- Jordan Thompson (AUS)
- Christopher O’Connell (AUS)
- James Duckworth (AUS)
- Rinky Hijikata (AUS)
- Bu Yunchaokete (CHN)
- Kyrian Jacquet (FRA)
- Patrick Kypson (USA)
Women’s Singles Wildcards
- Venus Williams (USA)
- Priscilla Hon (AUS)
- Talia Gibson (AUS)
- Emerson Jones (AUS)
- Taylah Preston (AUS)
- Elizabeth Mandlik (USA)
- Zarina Diyas (KAZ)
- Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah (FRA)
With the Australian Open 2026 wildcards now finalized, attention shifts to qualifying, which begins Monday 12 January, as players look to secure the final places in the main draws at Australian Open 2026.
Phil Naessens is a former tennis academy owner and longtime resident professional who has coached and evaluated players across the United States and Europe. He has worked in tennis hubs including Las Vegas, Mykonos, Dubai, and Corfu, bringing decades of first-hand experience in player development, match dynamics, and competitive readiness. His analysis focuses on on-court mechanics, physical signals, and betting market inefficiencies, with an emphasis on process and responsible wagering rather than hype or prediction.
