Finally, after what seems like years (OK, it's been a little over a month), the 2026 tennis season is about to get underway. Between January and November, fans will get to enjoy loads of the sport, even though many players will rightfully complain about the grind of how much they need to play.
What might change this year? Will some other men's player win a Grand Slam besides Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner? That seems unlikely, as they are far and away the best players on the ATP tour.
On the WTA side, will Iga Swiatek reclaim No. 1 after changing coaches last year and having a more powerful approach to her game? Aryna Sabalenka wants to know, but the Belarusian will not face the Pole at the Brisbane International, though other tough players will make up the field.
Everything you need to know about the 2026 Brisbane International
Brisbane International 2026 WTA seeds
- 1. Aryna Sabalenka
- 2. Amanda Anisimova
- 3. Elena Rybakina
- 4. Jessica Pegula
- 5. Madison Keys
- 6. Mirra Andreeva
- 7. Ekaterina Alexandrova
- 8. Clara Tauson
- 9. Linda Noskova
- 10. Liudmila Samsonova
Sabalenka returns to defend her title in a nation where, for nearly two years, she was unbeatable. That changed at the 2025 Australian Open as Madsion Keys upset the Belarusian in the final. Still, while the field is loaded for the Brisbane International in 2026, Sabalenka has to be the heavy favorite.
Prediction: Sabalenka should win, but the guess here is that Anisimova continues her rise from 2025 and takes home her first trophy of the year.
Brisbane International 2026 ATP seeds
- 1. Daniil Medvedev
- 2. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
- 3. Jiri Lehecka
- 4. Tommy Paul
- 5. Denis Shapovalov
- 6. Joao Fonseca
- 7. Cam Norrie
- 8. Learner Tien
The ATP field is sharp, too, though it lacks the depth of high-end talent as the women's side. Medvedev has been on a bit of a career swoon, so thinking he wins this event might be a stretch. The time has come for Fonseca to make his real mark on the ATP tour, though watching Tien build off 2025 should be fun.
Prediction: Lehecka won the title last year, and he will win again in 2026.
Brisbane International 2026 order of play
- Sun. Jan. 4 - Qualifying/First Round Singles (Matches begin at 12 pm Brisbane time and 9 pm on Saturday, Jan. 3 in New York)
- Mon. Jan. 5 - First Round Singles (Matches begin at 12 pm Brisbane time and 9 pm on Sunday, Jan. 4 in New York)
- Tue. Jan. 6 - First Round/Second Round Singles (Matches begin at 12 pm Brisbane time and 9 pm on Monday, Jan. 5 in New York)
- Wed. Jan. 7 - Second Round Singles (Matches begin at 12 pm Brisbane time and 9 pm on Tuesday, Jan. 6 in New York)
- Thu. Jan. 8 - Second Round/Third Round Singles (Matches begin at 12 pm Brisbane time and 9 pm on Wednesday, Jan. 7 in New York)
- Fri. Jan. 9 - Men's and Women's Quarterfinals (Matches begin at 12 pm Brisbane time and 9 pm on Thursday, Jan. 8 in New York)
- Sat. Jan. 10 - Women's Singles Semifinals & Men's Singles Semifinal (Matches begin at 12 pm Brisbane time and 9 pm on Friday, Jan. 9 in New York)
- Sun. Jan. 11 - Men's and Women's Singles Final (Matches begin at 3 pm Brisbane time and 12 am on Sunday, Jan. 11 in New York)