The Brisbane International presented by Evie returns to the Queensland Tennis Centre from Monday, January 5 to Sunday, January 11, 2026, marking the tournament’s 15th anniversary celebration. As a key fixture in Australia’s Summer of Tennis series, this combined ATP 250 and WTA 500 event serves as crucial preparation for the Australian Open, attracting elite players to Brisbane’s outdoor hard courts.
Star-Studded Women’s Field Confirmed
The women’s draw has already secured two of the sport’s biggest names. World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka will return to Brisbane to defend her 2025 title, while fellow Grand Slam champion Elena Rybakina joins the field after winning the 2024 edition.
Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion who dominated the 2025 season with 52 consecutive weeks atop the WTA rankings, expressed her enthusiasm for returning to Queensland. “I’m super happy to be heading back to Brisbane. I have a lot of great memories from Australia, it always feels like home,” the Belarusian star said.
Rybakina, currently ranked No.7, adds even more firepower to the women’s competition. The Kazakh star defeated Sabalenka in the 2024 Brisbane final and recently represented her country in the Billie Jean King Cup at the same venue. Tournament Director Cam Pearson confirmed the excitement surrounding these entries: “It is fantastic to welcome both Aryna Sabalenka, the world No.1, and Elena Rybakina to Brisbane in 2026.”
Men’s Draw Expectations
While the official ATP entry list for 2026 has not yet been released, Brisbane traditionally attracts a stellar men’s field. The 2025 edition featured Novak Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Holger Rune, Frances Tiafoe, and Nick Kyrgios, establishing the tournament as one of the strongest ATP 250 events on the calendar.
Defending champion Jiri Lehecka captured his second ATP Tour title at the 2025 Brisbane International, defeating Holger Rune, Yoshihito Nishioka, Nicolas Jarry, and Grigor Dimitrov before Reilly Opelka retired in the final due to a back injury. The Czech star’s impressive run saw him climb to No.24 in the ATP rankings, making him the second-youngest champion in tournament history.
Two-time Brisbane champion Grigor Dimitrov, who won titles in 2017 and 2024, remains a fan favorite at the Queensland Tennis Centre. The Bulgarian’s elegant playing style and success on Australian hard courts make him a likely participant in 2026.
Tournament Format and Schedule
The Brisbane International features a 32-player singles draw for men and a 48-player singles draw for women, along with doubles competitions. The main draw runs from January 4-11, 2026, with qualifying rounds taking place January 2-3 at Pat Rafter Arena.
The tournament offers substantial prize money, with the 2025 edition distributing $680,140 for the ATP event and $1,520,600 for the WTA competition. The 2025 men’s singles champion received $96,985, while the women’s champion earned $220,000.
Brisbane has historically served as an ideal preparation ground before the Australian Open. Past champions include tennis legends such as Roger Federer (2015), Andy Murray (2012, 2013), Serena Williams (2013, 2014), and three-time winner Karolina Pliskova (2017, 2019, 2020).
Championship Predictions
Women’s Singles: Aryna Sabalenka enters as the overwhelming favorite. Her dominant form throughout 2025, combined with her comfort in Brisbane and on Australian hard courts, makes her the player to beat. However, Elena Rybakina proved at the 2024 edition that she can match Sabalenka’s power, adding intrigue to a potential rematch.
Men’s Singles: Defending champion Jiri Lehecka demonstrated his affinity for Australian conditions and should contend strongly. The 23-year-old Czech’s aggressive baseline game suits the quick Brisbane courts perfectly. If Grigor Dimitrov returns, his experience and two previous Brisbane titles make him a dangerous contender. Rising stars like Holger Rune and Frances Tiafoe could also make deep runs.
Watch for potential spoilers among the younger generation. Players seeking momentum before the Australian Open often produce breakthrough performances at Brisbane, making early-round upsets a distinct possibility.
Key Storylines to Watch
The tournament’s 15th anniversary celebration adds extra significance to the 2026 edition. After a four-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brisbane’s return in 2024 reinvigorated Queensland’s tennis scene, and organizers expect record crowds for the milestone event.
Local Australian wildcards will add home-crowd excitement, continuing the tournament’s tradition of providing opportunities for rising domestic talent. Queensland locals have historically received strong support at Pat Rafter Arena.
Tournament Details:
- Dates: January 5-11, 2026 (Main Draw); January 2-3, 2026 (Qualifying)
- Location: Queensland Tennis Centre, Brisbane, Australia
- Surface: Outdoor Hard Court
- Total Matches: 25
- Categories: ATP 250 (Men) / WTA 500 (Women)
- Prize Money: ~$680,000 (ATP) / ~$1.5M (WTA)
