The qualifying rounds of the 2026 Australian Open have started today, January 12. As the battle for the main draw heats up spanning the men’s and women’s singles categories, we’ll take a look at five storylines that are set to enrich the qualifying stages of the Melbourne Major, which is also fondly referred to as the ‘Happy Slam’.
1. Kei Nishikori & Sloane Stephens In Australian Open Qualifying
Nishikori, a former World No. 4 and the 2014 US Open runner-up, is arguably the most high-profile player in the men’s singles qualifying rounds at the 2026 Australian Open. However, the Japanese ATP icon’s recent fortunes have been full of injury woes. At the recent Canberra Challenger, injury once again derailed his participation as he retired mid-match in his very first competitive outing of the year.
Meanwhile, Stephens, a former WTA No. 3, has already got her qualifying bid to a positive start with a straight-set first-round win over Barbora Palicova. Up next for the 32-year-old American is a clash against home hope Olivia Gadecki. Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, reached the semifinals of the 2013 Australian Open. It remains the best finish of her career at the Melbourne Major.
2. Whopping 26 Australian Players’ Names In Qualifying Rounds
The men’s and women’s singles qualifying rounds at the 2026 Australian Open include a staggering 26 Australian players; 13 on the men’s side and 13 on the women’s side.
Among the home hopes on the men’s side, Bernard Tomic’s name sticks out. The former World No. 17, once regarded as one of the most talented players of his generation, hasn’t lived up to the immense potential he quite clearly possessed. Despite this reality, the 33-year-old continues to compete, and in the qualifying stages, he is set to clash against No. 25 seed Hugo Dellien.
On the women’s side, Destanee Aiava is set to feature. Aiava put on quite a show for fans in Melbourne last year in second-round main draw action, where she tested Danielle Collins before the American veteran ultimately came out on top.
3. Henry Bernet Looks To Book Spot In Australian Open Main Draw A Year After Shining As Junior
At the 2025 Australian Open, Henry Bernet from Switzerland, who was only 17 at the time, registered a title triumph in the boys’ singles category with a straight-set win over Benjamin Willwerth in the final. Bernet’s style of play, particularly his one-handed backhand, has led to the youngster being compared to his legendary compatriot, the now-retired Roger Federer.
Bernet made his ATP Tour-level debut last year with a main draw wildcard at the Swiss Indoors Basel, but suffered a first-round loss to Jakub Mensik. At this year’s Australian Open, Bernet is set to make his qualifying debut at a Major, and is slated to take on 23-year-old Spaniard Pablo Llamas Ruiz in the first round.
4. Lleyton Hewitt’s Son Cruz In Pursuit Of First Qualifying Win At Australian Open After 2025 Disappointment
Former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt’s son Cruz received a wildcard into the qualifying rounds of last year’s Australian Open. However, here, his inexperience proved costly, as he lost to the vastly-more experienced Nikoloz Basilashvili in his first outing.
Cruz, 17 now, has a chance to register his first qualifying win at his home Slam this year. Yet to taste victory in an ATP Tour-level encounter, the youngster is set to face Michael Zheng from the USA.
5. Australian Open Qualifying First-Round Losers To Make Over $40,000
Last but not least, for the players who fail to reach the second round of qualifying, the 2026 Australian Open won’t be all doom and gloom. The Melbourne Major, with an all-time record $111.5 million prize pool this time around, will give qualifying first-round losers $40,500 each in prize money.
The figure has been steadily going up in recent years. In 2021, qualifying first-round losers received $25,000 each and after a few increments, last year, they got $35,000.
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