The 2026 Australian Open presents an exceptional opportunity for a new generation of tennis champions to capture their first Grand Slam title. Multiple players, including Ben Shelton and Amanda Anisimova, have spent the past year building themselves into legitimate contenders at the sport’s highest level, with recent breakthrough performances in major tournaments. Melbourne’s hard courts have consistently favored aggressive players capable of maintaining momentum across demanding five-set matches.
The main draw, commencing on Sunday, January 18, sets the stage for what could be a historic fortnight for one of the following six stars.
#6. Belinda Bencic
Belinda Bencic has written one of professional tennis’s most inspiring comeback narratives since returning from maternity leave in 2024, culminating in a triumphant 2025 season that reestablished her as a formidable major tournament competitor. The 28-year-old Swiss champion captured the Abu Dhabi Open and Tokyo titles in 2025, reestablishing herself as a major competitor while reaching the Wimbledon semifinals, demonstrating she remains capable of navigating Grand Slam events.
Her Abu Dhabi victory on hard courts early in the season provided particularly valuable evidence of her continued competitiveness on Melbourne’s playing surface. Bencic accumulated 39 wins during 2025 and rose to World No. 10 by January 2026, the highest ranking she has achieved since beginning her comeback journey following motherhood.
She won all her matches at the United Cup, including beating Iga Swiatek 3-6, 6-0, 6-3. Her United Cup 2026 performance suggests that she has the focus required to potentially capture her first Grand Slam title in the first month of the 2026 season.
#5. Mirra Andreeva
Andreeva has established herself as one of the most dominant forces on hard courts following an astonishing 2025 season. The 18-year-old captured two of the most prestigious hard-court tournaments: the Dubai Championships and the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, defeating multiple former champions and the world’s top-ranked players in the process.
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At Indian Wells, Andreeva defeated defending champion Iga Świątek in the semifinals before overcoming World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final, underscoring her capacity to overcome any top-ranked player.
Though she experienced setbacks on other surfaces, Andreeva’s dominance on hard courts and her fourth-round results at the Australian Open in 2024 and 2025 suggest Melbourne Park is the optimal stage to lift a major title.
#4. Amanda Anisimova
Anisimova delivered her most remarkable season to date, reaching consecutive Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2025. The 24-year-old American demonstrated consistent performances when competing against the world’s best players, defeating all four of the previous year’s Grand Slam champions at various points during her 2025 campaign.
Anisimova captured WTA 1000 titles in both Doha and Beijing, proving she can maintain excellence over multi-week periods. Her two consecutive major finals appearances propelled her to a career-high ranking of World No. 3 in January 2026, a ranking she later lost to fellow American Coco Gauff.
With her recent Grand Slam experience and ability to defeat the world’s top players, Anisimova carries legitimate credentials to break through for her maiden major championship at the Australian Open.
#3. Felix Auger-Aliassime
Felix Auger-Aliassime delivered a remarkable 2025 season that established him as one of the ATP’s most accomplished performers, particularly on the hard courts. The Canadian captured three ATP titles throughout 2025, including the Adelaide International, demonstrating his ability to win on the hard courts.
Auger-Aliassime finished the year ranked in the top five after reaching the US Open semifinals, his best showing at a major, and developed into a legitimate contender.
His hard-court record speaks decisively to his credentials, having accumulated over 43 victories on the surface during 2025 while maintaining technical excellence throughout the season. The Adelaide triumph particularly validates his chances in Melbourne, as winning that title proved he can emerge victorious at Melbourne Park.
#2. Alexander Zverev
Zverev caught the tennis world’s attention in 2025 as he reached the final of the Australian Open, ultimately falling to Sinner in straight sets. The 28-year-old German possesses the big-match experience necessary to overcome the final hurdle in 2026, having proven he can make deep runs in Melbourne.
Zverev’s path through last year’s tournament showcased his ability to maintain top performance across multiple rounds. His game and experience suggest he has learned valuable lessons from his final appearance that could prove critical in another deep run. Ranked third in the world, Zverev has what it takes to challenge top players in Melbourne, positioning him to convert his runner-up finish to a maiden Grand Slam.
#1. Ben Shelton
Shelton has emerged as one of professional tennis’s most talented young prospects following a breakthrough 2025 season. The 23-year-old American captured his maiden Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open in August last year on hard courts. Notably, he reached the semifinals in Melbourne Park last year, where he pushed World No. 1 Jannik Sinner to the limit despite falling in straight sets.
The American concluded 2025 with 40 victories and just 24 losses, posting an incredibly impressive win rate on outdoor hard courts. Shelton’s powerful serve and aggressive baseline game make him ideal for a deep Melbourne run, where his ability to finish points quickly becomes a significant advantage.
At World No. 8 and still improving against top players, Shelton represents a genuine threat to break through for a maiden major title on his strong surface.
