Tennis Qualification: Top Players Compete

The qualifying field for the Australian Open 2026 includes, among other celebrities, a former Grand Slam winner.

The claim that Grand Slam tournaments now extend over three weeks has rarely been more true than when looking at the upcoming Australian Open. Because the qualifications are very prominent there. Especially among women. Sloane Stephens, for example, is ready to fight for her starting place in the 128 grid of the first major in 2026. As is well known, Stephens won the US Open in 2017 and reached the final in Roland-Garros the following year.

Jennifer Brady has also been added to the list of starters for the Melbourne qualification. Brady, who reached the final of the Australian Open in 2021, has repeatedly struggled with injuries in recent years. In addition, Taylor Townsend, one of the best doubles players in the world, and Katie Boulter also have to go through the grind of qualification.

Taggers and angels in qualification

One can be excited (especially from an Austrian perspective) about Lilli Tagger’s appearance. The East Tyrolean won the junior title in Roland-Garros. Tagger has already caused so much international attention that her name is explicitly mentioned in the official announcement of the Australian Open.

On the men’s side, the best-known player in qualification is probably Kei Nishikori. But of course one also likes to remember the better days of Dan Evans and Nicolas Jarry, who will also be fighting for a ticket to the main draw.

And anyone who paid close attention at the NextGen Finals 2025 will find seven well-known names in the qualifying field for the Australian Open (champion Learner Tien has qualified directly and will even be seeded): such as the German hope Justin Engel, but also Alexander Blockx, Nishesh Basavareddy, Rafael Jodar, Martin Landaluce, Dino Prizmic and the strong Norwegian Nikolai Budkov Kjaer.