Former Major Contenders Headline 2026 Australian Open Qualifying Field
Published: Dec 30, 2025
Arthur Jones
Writer
The 2026 Australian Open qualifying draw features a mix of experience and youth, with former Grand Slam standouts Sloane Stephens and Jennifer Brady returning from injury alongside a wave of teenage hopefuls set to debut in Melbourne.
The 2026 Australian Open qualifying entry list has been announced, highlighted by four former Grand Slam semifinalists — including 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens and 2021 Australian Open runner-up Jennifer Brady. Qualifying begins 12 January at Melbourne Park.
Stephens returned to competition in September after a seven-month foot injury layoff and has not recorded a win since Wimbledon 2024. Brady, recovering from knee surgery, has not played since Beijing 2023. They are joined in qualifying by 2018 US Open semifinalist Anastasija Sevastova and 2021 Roland Garros semifinalist Tamara Zidansek.
Stephens and Brady are among eight players entering with a special ranking, alongside Madison Brengle, Bai Zhuoxuan, Fiona Ferro, Kristina Mladenovic, Alice Tubello and Sachia Vickery.
Teen prospects will also feature prominently. Seven players aged 17–19 earned direct entry, including Nikola Bartunkova, Kaitlin Quevedo, Luisina Giovannini, Teodora Kostovic, Alina Korneeva, Lilli Tagger and Laura Samson. All except Korneeva will make their Melbourne debuts. Tagger, the reigning Roland Garros junior champion, recently reached the Jiujiang final on her tour-level debut.
