Australian Open Draw 2026

The lads’s singles draw for the 2026 Australian Open is out, and Carlos Alcaraz arrives because the world No. 1 and high seed, nonetheless chasing the one main lacking from his résumé, whereas Jannik Sinner returns to Rod Laver Enviornment aiming for a uncommon three-peat after back-to-back titles Down Beneath.

Elsewhere, Novak Djokovic’s health, Alexander Zverev’s unfinished enterprise, and a deep forged of in-form contenders guarantee there’s little or no margin for error from the opening spherical onward. 

Full breakdown of the draw quarter by quarter under.

Event Data

Australian Open 2026 Seeds

Carlos Alcaraz
Jannik Sinner
Alexander Zverev
Novak Djokovic
Lorenzo Musetti
Alex de Minaur
Félix Auger-Aliassime
Ben Shelton
Taylor Fritz
Alexander Bublik
Daniil Medvedev
Casper Ruud
Andrey Rublev
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Karen Khachanov
Jakub Menšík
Jiří Lehečka
Francisco Cerúndolo
Tommy Paul
Flavio Cobolli
Denis Shapovalov
Luciano Darderi
Tallon Griekspoor
Arthur Rinderknech
Learner Tien
Cameron Norrie
Brandon Nakashima
João Fonseca
Frances Tiafoe
Valentin Vacherot
Stefanos Tsitsipas
Corentin Moutet

Wild Playing cards

Protected Rating

Withdrawals

Qualifiers

Fortunate Losers

2026 Australian Open Draw

High Half

Backside Half

Ideas on the Draw

First Quarter: Alcaraz High Seed, Questions Linger

Seeded Gamers: (1) Carlos Alcaraz, (6) Alex de Minaur, (10) Alexander Bublik, (14) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, (19) Tommy Paul, (20) Flavio Cobolli, (29) Frances Tiafoe, (32) Corentin Moutet

Carlos Alcaraz begins the 2026 Australian Open as the highest seed, however in contrast to earlier seasons, he arrives in Melbourne with extra questions than certainty.

Now, with out Juan Carlos Ferrero in his nook, the Spaniard continues to be chasing a primary Australian Open title, the one main lacking from his résumé and the ultimate piece wanted to finish a Profession Grand Slam.

I’m to see how that goes, as Ferrero was talking to Alcaraz virtually each level when in his nook and was Carlos’s foremost focus at any time when he gained some extent or wanted encouragement.

Alcaraz opens in opposition to native hope Adam Walton, a manageable first-round task, however the draw stiffens rapidly.

A possible fourth-round assembly with Tommy Paul stands out as a hazard match, as Paul usually performs Carlos properly, and he’s discovered some type over in Adelaide.

Alex de Minaur anchors the underside half of the quarter and instantly faces probably the most eye-catching first-round matches of the event in opposition to Matteo Berrettini. The Australian had a stellar 2025 with trademark consistency, however Berrettini stays a harmful opponent on arduous courts if wholesome.

If de Minaur progresses, Alexander Bublik looms as a possible fourth-round opponent. The Kazakh has been in wonderful type in current months, capped by a title in Hong Kong, and his unpredictability makes him a nightmare matchup in week one. However over 5 units? He hasn’t proven quite a lot of pedigree so whereas I hope he performs as he’s one of many higher gamers to look at, I don’t suppose he’s too huge a hazard.

Second Quarter: Zverev Examined, Medvedev the Wild Card

Seeded Gamers: (3) Alexander Zverev, (7) Felix Auger-Aliassime, (11) Daniil Medvedev, (13) Andrey Rublev, (18) Francisco Cerundolo, (24) Arthur Rinderknech, (25) Learner Tien, (26) Cameron Norrie

Alexander Zverev, final 12 months’s finalist, heads into Melbourne with unfinished enterprise. The German opens in opposition to big-serving Canadian Gabriel Diallo, a harmful opponent able to shortening factors, however Zverev’s return recreation ought to see him by.

A fourth-round conflict with Andrey Rublev seems to be doubtless and represents Zverev’s greatest impediment earlier than the quarterfinals. Rublev’s energy can hassle anybody on his day, although he has nonetheless by no means been previous the final eight at a Grand Slam.

Within the decrease half, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Daniil Medvedev are the 2 standout names. Medvedev endured a turbulent 2025, however he kicked off the brand new 12 months with the Brisbane title, and his numbers had been considerably up on his common from final 12 months (serve, return, and so on.).

Auger-Aliassime took half within the United Cup, successful 1 of his 2 singles matches after an outstanding finish of season run.

If Medvedev can rediscover his peak hardcourt type, he might simply disrupt this quarter and primarily based on what I noticed in Brisbane, I like his probabilities.

Third Quarter: Djokovic Nonetheless the Commonplace

Seeded Gamers: (4) Novak Djokovic, (5) Lorenzo Musetti, (9) Taylor Fritz, (16) Jakub Mensik, (17) Jiri Lehecka, (23) Tallon Griekspoor, (27) Brandon Nakashima, (31) Stefanos Tsitsipas

Novak Djokovic enters Melbourne surrounded by health issues, however historical past suggests writing him off here’s a mistake.

The Serb initially deliberate to start out his season in Adelaide however withdrew from the event earlier than it started, and, in accordance with media retailers, he had a neck damage. He did, nonetheless, characteristic in Melbourne’s opening weekend matches, defeating Tiafoe in straight units

The ten-time champion opens in opposition to Pedro Martinez and will have sufficient expertise to handle his manner into the second week, even when his bodily situation stays lower than splendid.

Djokovic retired injured in final 12 months’s semifinals in opposition to Zverev, but Melbourne has constantly been his most secure Grand Slam surroundings. If his physique holds up, he stays probably the most harmful participant on this part.

Lorenzo Musetti is available in buoyed by a runner-up end in Hong Kong and can fancy his possibilities of a deep run.

Taylor Fritz can also be on this part, however he’s additionally a health doubt attributable to knee tendonitis. Up to now, he’s managed it properly, however his United Cup wasn’t an enormous success with simply 1 win in his 3 singles matches.

Stefanos Tsitsipas is one other wildcard. He confirmed flashes of type on the United Cup earlier than a shock loss to Aleksandar Vukic in Adelaide, persevering with a sample of inconsistency that has outlined his final two seasons.

Fourth Quarter: Sinner the Man to Beat

Seeded Gamers: (2) Jannik Sinner, (8) Ben Shelton, (12) Casper Ruud, (15) Karen Khachanov, (21) Denis Shapovalov, (22) Luciano Darderi, (28) Joao Fonseca, (30) Valentin Vacherot

Two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner enters Melbourne because the event’s most dependable hard-court participant. Regardless of a tough draw, the Italian’s consistency and confidence in Australia make him a robust favorite to succeed in the ultimate as soon as once more.

Sinner opens in opposition to Hugo Gaston and will construct momentum early. Ben Shelton, a semifinalist right here final 12 months, headlines the underside half of the quarter and appears properly positioned for one more deep run. Nevertheless, his energy recreation nonetheless struggles in opposition to Sinner’s returning and baseline management.

Among the many outsiders, Joao Fonseca is probably the most intriguing identify, although his lack of match play following a decrease again challenge clouds expectations. Casper Ruud and Karen Khachanov spherical out a stable however unspectacular supporting forged, and I don’t see anybody troubling Sinner right here.

Attention-grabbing First Spherical Matches