The wait for the Australian Open is almost over, and a big day awaits on Thursday as the players find out their possible path to the Grand Slam title. Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka are the top seeds for the first Grand Slam of the year, and they will find out their first-round opponents on Thursday.
Their closest challengers – reigning champion Jannik Sinner and women’s second seed Iga Świątek – will also be firmly placing their attention on the results of the Australian Open draw. The Australian Open will get underway on Sunday, January 18.
Australian Open 2026 Draw Time, Where to Watch
The draw is one of the most-watched events in the lead-up to any Grand Slam week, and the 2026 Australian Open will be no different. The draw is scheduled for Thursday, January 15 at 2:30pm AEDT (10:30 pm ET on January 14, 3:30 am GMT).
A total of 128 players will take part in the men’s singles and women’s singles of the 2026 Australian Open. In addition to discovering their first-round opponents, players will also find out the overall bracket for the tournament.
Fans can also watch the 2026 Australian Open draw live, on the tournament’s official website, YouTube page, and Facebook page, which will all air the live coverage of the event.
Australian Open 2026 Top Seeds
The seeds for both the men’s and women’s singles at the 2026 Australian Open have already been revealed. Carlos Alcaraz will be the top seed in the men’s singles, followed by reigning champion Jannik Sinner and last year’s beaten finalist Alexander Zverev.
Novak Djokovic is the fourth seed, with Lorenzo Musetti and home favorite Alex de Minaur. Felix Auger-Aliassime, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, and Alexander Bublik are the other players in the top 10. Daniil Medvedev (11th), Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (14th), and Jiří Lehečka (17th) are all seeded outside the top 10 but could make a significant impact at the tournament.
In the women’s singles, Aryna Sabalenka is the top seed. The Belarusian will be determined to go one better this time around after losing in the Australian Open final last year. Iga Świątek is seeded second, followed by Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, and Elena Rybakina.
Jessica Pegula is seeded sixth, with Jasmine Paolini seventh, and Mirra Andreeva in eighth. Defending Australian Open champion Madison Keys is seeded ninth, followed by Belinda Bencic of Switzerland. Notable seeds outside the top 10 include Emma Navarro (15th), Naomi Osaka (16th), and Emma Raducanu (28th).
