2026 Australian Open Entry List Locked In: Sabalenka and Swiatek Lead a Stacked Women’s Field in Melbourne
The road to Melbourne has officially begun. With the entry list for the 2026 Australian Open now confirmed, the season’s first Grand Slam is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive women’s draws in recent memory. A remarkable 98 of the world’s top 100 WTA players are set to take the courts at Melbourne Park, underlining just how much prestige and priority the Australian Open continues to carry on the tour.
While the final seedings won’t be locked until the rankings update in the week before the tournament, the hierarchy at the top is already crystal clear—and fiercely compelling.
Sabalenka and Swiatek Set the Standard at the Top
There is no mystery at the summit. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek are guaranteed to occupy the top two seedings when play begins in January, continuing a rivalry that has defined women’s tennis over the past two seasons.
Sabalenka arrives as the tour’s dominant hard-court force, her power game tailor-made for Melbourne’s fast conditions. Swiatek, meanwhile, remains the sport’s most complete competitor, capable of dismantling opponents with precision, athleticism, and relentless intensity even on surfaces not traditionally seen as her strongest.
Behind them, however, the story becomes far more fluid.
Tight Seeding Battles Add Extra Edge to Early 2026
The fight for positioning just behind the top two is expected to go down to the wire. Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova are effectively level in the race for the No. 3 seed, with every match in the early January swing carrying real consequences.
Further down, Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula are locked in a similar contest for a top-five spot, while defending champion Madison Keys currently projects as the No. 7 seed. Keys faces a challenging start to the season, with significant ranking points to defend pressure that could allow the likes of Jasmine Paolini and teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva to close the gap quickly.
Completing the current top ten is Ekaterina Alexandrova, whose consistency across surfaces has quietly elevated her into elite seeding territory.
Osaka, Raducanu, and a Generation on the Rise
Few names will draw more attention than Naomi Osaka, who is provisionally listed as the No. 16 seed. The former world No. 1 continues her steady climb back toward the top, and a protected seeding could prove crucial in avoiding early heavyweight clashes.
One of the most exciting storylines belongs to Victoria Mboko, the Canadian teenager set to make her Australian Open main-draw debut. Currently seeded 18th, Mboko’s rise has been nothing short of spectacular, fueled by her breakthrough title run at the Canadian Open last October. Having already debuted at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open in 2025, Melbourne is the final Grand Slam box ticked.
There’s also a sense of renewal surrounding Emma Raducanu, who is on course to be seeded at a major for the first time since 2022. Slotted at No. 29, the former US Open champion enters 2026 with growing momentum and a renewed sense of stability.
New Faces and Long-Awaited Breakthroughs
Mboko won’t be the only newcomer soaking in the Melbourne atmosphere for the first time. Alexandra Eala is finally set to feature in the Australian Open main draw after three consecutive first-round exits in qualifying. Now ranked No. 52, the Filipina has turned persistence into progress.
Indonesia’s Janice Tjen, just one spot behind Eala in the rankings, will contest her second career Grand Slam following her debut at the 2025 US Open—another sign of the tour’s expanding global footprint.
Notable Absences and Protected Rankings
Despite the near-complete top-100 turnout, there are two notable omissions. Danielle Collins (No. 64) is currently not entered, while Ons Jabeur remains sidelined on maternity leave.
Several familiar names gain entry through protected rankings, including former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, China’s Wang Yafan, and Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew. Frenchwoman Leolia Jeanjean, ranked No. 103, narrowly claims the final direct entry spot.
Wildcards and Home Hopes
Three wildcards have already been handed out, with Australia’s Emerson Jones, American Elizabeth Mandlik, and Kazakhstan’s Zarina Diyas receiving direct entry. Five more wildcards remain unannounced, offering opportunities for late-season risers and local favorites to make their mark.
What It All Means for Melbourne
With depth across every tier of the rankings, the 2026 Australian Open women’s draw promises drama well before the second week. Early-round upsets will be harder than ever to engineer, and protected seedings could make the difference between a smooth run and a brutal opening test.
From Sabalenka and Swiatek setting the tone at the top, to emerging stars like Mboko and Andreeva pushing the established order, Melbourne Park is preparing for a Grand Slam that blends star power, youth, and genuine unpredictability.
One thing is already certain: when the lights come on in January, women’s tennis will be front and centre exactly where it belongs.
