ATP Tour and WTA 2026: Draws for United Cup, Brisbane, Hong Kong and Auckland

ATP Tour and WTA 2026: Draws for United Cup, Brisbane, Hong Kong and Auckland

LINK: United Cup Draw | LINK: Brisbane ATP Draw | LINK: Brisbane WTA Draw | LINK: ATP Hong Kong Draw | LINK: WTA Auckland Draw

The first week of the 2026 tennis season is stacked with action, drama and early Australian summer heat as the ATP Tour and WTA Tours kick into high gear. From team battle thrills at the United Cup to packed individual draws in Brisbane, Hong Kong and Auckland, fans around the globe will be glued to the court ahead of the Australian Open. Here’s your complete draw preview and early look at what to expect across all major Week 1 events.

United Cup 2026 – Perth & Sydney (2–11 January)

The United Cup remains one of the most exciting hybrid team competitions on both the ATP Tour and WTA calendars. This mixed-team event kicks off the season with 18 nations represented across Perth and Sydney, featuring best-of-three matchups including men’s singles, women’s singles and mixed doubles in every tie. 

Teams & Top Players to Watch

• Team USA — Defending champions and stacked with stars like world No.3 Coco Gauff and No.6 Taylor Fritz. 

• Team Italy — Anchored by Jasmine Paolini and rising talent Flavio Cobolli. 

• Team Great Britain — Featuring Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper. 

• Australia — Home favorites led by Alex de Minaur and rising stars in both singles and doubles. 

• Team Czechia and Team Switzerland also pose serious threats with deep singles lineups. 

Format & Draw Insight

The competition starts with round-robin group stages in both cities before progressing through quarterfinals, semis and the final in Sydney. Each tie’s unique format means every match counts toward both ranking points and team momentum. 

Key Prediction: Early momentum will be essential — look for powerful singles stars like Gauff, Paolini, Swiatek and Zverev (if playing) to dominate singles rubbers and swing close mixed doubles.

Brisbane International presented by ANZ – ATP Tour & WTA (4–11 January)

The Brisbane International is a highlight of the early season, combining both ATP Tour 250 and WTA 500 action on outdoor hard courts at the Queensland Tennis Centre — a vital lead-in to the Australian Open. 

WTA Draw & Stars

Brisbane boasts a top-tier women’s draw with several of the world’s best competing:

• Aryna Sabalenka — World No.1 returning for a strong title defense. 

• Elena Rybakina — Former champion and dangerous early contender. 

• Amanda Anisimova, Madison Keys & Jessica Pegula — Elite top-10 threats capable of deep runs. 

• Karolina Pliskova — Three-time Brisbane winner with big experience on fast courts.

This stacked field with seven top-10 players makes Brisbane one of the most compelling early-season tournaments. 

ATP Tour Draw & Contenders

On the men’s side (ATP Tour 250), the draw includes established ATP Tour competitors:

• Daniil Medvedev — Big-match experience and Grand Slam pedigree. 

• Grigor Dimitrov — Veteran WTA challenger capable of upsets. 

• Alexei Popyrin — Home-circuit talent adds local flavor. 

Brisbane Preview Insight: Expect high-intensity rallies early as players fine-tune serves and baseline aggression in preparation for Melbourne.

Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open – ATP Tour 250 (4–11 January)

The Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open returns as a key ATP 250 stop ahead of the Grand Slam season. Held at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium, this hard-court event draws a strong mix of established stars and breakout contenders.

Players to Watch

• Lorenzo Musetti — Stylish strokes and semifinal form make him one to follow. 

• Alexander Bublik — Big serves and unpredictable flair can topple any opponent. 

• Andrey Rublev — Former champion with heavy groundstrokes. 

• Karen Khachanov — Powerful ball-striking gives him a major edge on hard courts. 

• Coleman Wong & Jerry Shang — Asia’s rising players bring local support. 

Draw Outlook

With a 28-player field and early season matches, Hong Kong will likely be defined by strong serving and tactical patience — essential traits for success in heat and humidity. 

Early Prediction: Look for experienced baseline players to assert dominance, while local favorites and rising stars could provide key upset opportunities.

ASB Classic – WTA 250 (5–11 January, Auckland)

In Auckland, the ASB Classic presents another exciting women’s hard-court battle leading up to Australia’s first Grand Slam. 

Top Entrants

• Elina Svitolina & Emma Navarro — Top seeds and consistent performers. 

• Alexandra Eala & Janice Tjen — Rising stars breaking through at WTA level. 

• Venus Williams & Sloane Stephens (wildcards) — Former Grand Slam champions adding star power.

• Katie Boulter — A strong wild card with savvy game. 

Auckland’s compact early-season field sets up a fascinating mix of veterans and breakout hopefuls — perfect for fans seeking emerging narratives. 

Standout Plotline: Venus Williams returns once again to kick off her storied career, while Eala’s momentum as a rising force could define this draw. 

Final Notes & What’s Next

These opening week events are not just warm-ups — they often set the tone for the year’s biggest storylines. Momentum gained here can carry all the way to the Australian Open and beyond. 

For tennis fans and bettors alike, early draws offer a fascinating blend of elite excellence and unpredictable potential.