We’re a nation known for cricket and great food – not tennis – but that doesn’t mean we can’t get behind some of our soon-to-be tennis greats at the Australian Open 2026, which started on Sunday 18 January. Here’s who we’re looking out for:
Singles Australian Open 2026
Nishesh Basavareddy
Remember that 19-year-old who managed to take a set off the Djoker in the AO first-round last year? He’s back, and he’s no one trick pony, making it to the semi-finals of the 2025 ATP Next Gen finals in Saudi Arabia – a coveted exhibition for the world’s best players under 20 years of age, boasting many a grand slam winning alumni.
So far, Basavareddy has had a great week at the qualifiers, including this brutal choke celebration: Australian Open 2026
Having cracked the top 100 briefly, and with Gilles Cervara, Daniil Medvedev’s former coach, in his corner, it’s only a matter of time until we see him make deeper runs into tournaments and grand slams!
Basavareddy had a gruelling five-setter win against Australia’s Christopher O’Connell in the first round, and now faces another tough slog against 15th seed Karen Khachanov.
Doubles Australian Open 2026
Yuki Bhambri
Currently ranked 21st in the world for doubles, Bhambri and partner Andre Gorannson from Sweden will play in the men’s doubles main draw, hoping to avoid another first-round knockout. Australian Open 2026
Last year, the pair reached the men’s Doubles semi-finals at the US Open, beating Rajeev Ram along the way, as well as the quarterfinals at the Indian Wells Open, an ATP Masters 1000 event.
In March last year, Bhambri even debuted a partnership with Aussie Alexei Popyrin at a Dubai ATP 500 event and claimed the trophy. Who knows, swapping partners might just be the key to success?
Bhambri and Gorannson will have to hold their nerve against a vocal home crowd, playing Aussie wildcards James Duckworth and Cruz Hewitt.
Rajeev Ram
The definition of successful Aussie-Indian sports collaboration, Indian American Rajeev Ram will return with partner Matt Ebden for the men’s doubles this year.
Ranked 31st in the world, the 41-year-old reached a milestone 500 tour-level wins last year, less than a decade after quitting singles entirely. He also claimed the trophy at the Cincinnati Masters, an ATP Masters 1000 event, last year. Australian Open 2026
Ten days ago, they lost a tight three-setter against Aussies Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkanakis at the Brisbane International. Will they get redemption at the AO?
They face China’s Juncheng Shang and Zhizhen Zhang in the first round.
Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha
After winning a wild card entry into the AO, Karnataka-based Poonacha and partner, Thailand’s Pruchya Isarofor, have been catapulted into their first ever grand slam, the biggest breakthrough of their careers!
Previously, Poonacha has won 6 ATP Challenger doubles titles, and has had a career high doubles ranging of 98. However, it’s a big jump from Challengers to a Grand Slam – here’s hoping they’ll be able to stand the pressure.
Years of grinding has led up to this moment, as they face their first test, playing Spain’s Jaume Munar and Pedro Martinez in the first round.
Women’s Doubles
Astra Sharma
After bowing out of the women’s singles qualifiers, Sharma returns with fellow Aussie doubles partner Emerson Jones as a wildcard entry in the women’s doubles draw, taking on Nadia Kichenok and Makoto Ninomaya in the first round.
Since turning pro in 2011, she’s reached career-high WTA rankings of 84 in singles and 91 in doubles. In 2019 she and Aussie John Patrick Smith made it to the mixed doubles final of the AO after entering as a wildcard – can history repeat itself?
Mixed Doubles
As for mixed doubles, the main draw entry list is yet to be revealed! Will we see Rohan Bopanna come out of retirement for one last AO final or another appearance from Rajeev Ram? Watch this space!
