Live professional tennis has resumed, but this week’s headlines are mostly about predictions and storylines we are watching as the sport opens the 2026 season.
Iga Świątek labels ‘Battle of the Sexes’ unnecessary: ‘Women’s tennis stands on its own’: During a news conference at the United Cup in Australia, Iga Świątek said she would not say that the match, played in Dubai Dec. 28, “had anything to do with, like, social change or any important topics. I think the name was just the same as the one from the Billie Jean King match in ’73. That’s it.” Full Story: The Athletic
Is tennis taking inspiration from boxing?: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Nick Kyrgios. Grand Slam champion vs. Wimbledon finalist. No. 1 vs. No. 673. ‘The Battle of the Sexes’. Welcome to the match that both of its players are billing as a show, and which takes its name from a seminal moment in sporting history — that it can never hope to emulate. Full Story: The Athletic
Venus Williams gets wild card to play first Australian Open in 5 years: Venus Williams last appeared in Melbourne in 2021 and has finished runner-up in the women’s singles twice, losing to Serena in the finals in 2003 and 2017. Full Story: ESPN
Why it will be ‘tough’ for Australian Open bosses to hand Nick Kyrgios a wildcard: Australian Open organisers are expected to lock in all wildcards just before qualifying starts on January 12, having overlooked Kyrgios when they gave four Australians a call-up to the main draw on Monday. The primary drawbacks are concerns about his fitness to play and his first-round exit in the 2025 tournament while playing hurt. Full Story: The Daily Mail Editorial Note: Also, Stan Wawrinka, who is retiring this year and playing well in the United Cup, also needs a wildcard. It would be a travesty to award a spot to Kyrgios and not Wawrinka.
ATP announces Player Advisory Council for 2026: The ATP has announced the Player Advisory Council for the 2026 season. Marcelo Arevalo, Zizou Bergs, Nuno Borges, and Zhang Zhizhen are newly elected members of the Council for three-year terms (2026-2028), while Mackenzie McDonald was re-elected for a second three-year term (also 2026-2028). They join Camilo Ugo Carabelli, Pedro Martinez, Jaume Munar, Andrey Rublev, and Andrea Vavassori on the 2026 Council. Full Story: ATP
Will we see a Career Grand Slam from Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, or Jannik Sinner? A trio of top players are a single Slam away from a boxed set of trophies—can any (or all) or them make it happen in 2026? Full Story: Tennis
Tennis Predictions for 2026: Will Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz continue to dominate next season? Who will be the top-ranked American players? Will any stars retire? This and more in our look ahead. Full Story: Sports Illustrated
The ATP players and storylines to watch this season: The Athletic’s tennis writers, Matthew Futterman and Charlie Eccleshare, outline the biggest men’s tennis storylines for the 2026 season. Full Story: The Athletic
The WTA players and storylines to watch this season: The Athletic’s tennis writers, Matthew Futterman and Charlie Eccleshare, outline the biggest women’s tennis storylines for the 2026 season. Full Story: The Athletic
United Cup Photo Blitz: Koala selfies for FAA & Mboko, Osaka & Raducanu spot quokkas, Ruud catches waves ahead of United Cup. Several stars made sure to end their 2025 on a fun note ahead of the new season launching Down Under. Full Story: Tennis
UBTECH Walked Se Tennis Robot: A hype video of a tennis-playing robot was released to YouTube this week. I don’t think real tennis players have much to worry about at this time. Full Story: YouTube
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
| 1/2-11 | The United Cup | ATP/WTA Team Event | Australia |
| 1/4-11 | Brisbane International presented by ANZ | WTA 500 ATP 250 | Australia |
| 1/5-11 | Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open | ATP 250 | Hong Kong |
| 1/5-11 | ASB Classic | WTA 250 | New Zealand |
