Novak Djokovic, a ten-time Australian Open champion, enters the tournament as the world No. 4. In 2025, he reached the semifinals of all four major tournaments, becoming the oldest man in the Open era to achieve this in a single season. A notable absence in the men’s field is world No. 15 Holger Rune, who is currently recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon.
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In the women’s draw, Aryna Sabalenka will compete alongside defending champion Madison Keys and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek. Swiatek aims for a career Grand Slam in Melbourne following her Wimbledon victory in 2025. Reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff, who defeated Sabalenka in the Paris final, is also set to compete.
World No. 64 Danielle Collins and 76th-ranked Ons Jabeur, who is on maternity leave, will miss the tournament. However, former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, China’s Wang Yafan, and rising Thai star Mananchaya Sawangkaew have entered the event using protected rankings.
In the men’s bracket, four players have entered with protected rankings: Chinese players Shang Juncheng and Zhang Zhizhen, Finn Emil Ruusuvuori, and Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis. Thiago Agustin Tirante of Argentina is the last direct acceptance, ranked No. 101 as of the November 17 rankings. In the women’s field, French player Leolia Jeanjean is the final direct acceptance, ranked No. 103 by the December 8 entry deadline.