Australian Open warm-up exhibition Kooyong Tennis Classic to feature Donna Vekic, Lorenzo Musetti, Alexander Bublik after one year hiatus

Kooyong Classic will return after a one-year hiatus between 13-15 January, 2026 and the line-up is set for the exhibition tournament which often features some of the best in the world en route to the Australian Open.

Lorenzo Musetti headlines the line-up with the Italian ace who is currently World No.8 rounding off his excellent season with a spot in the ATP Finals after reaching the final in Athens and despite the fact that Musetti lost in said final, Djokovic gave him a spot anyway in the elite field as he wasn't going to play.

Musetti will take in his final preparations at the Kooyong Classic which did feature Holger Rune and Kei Nishikori. Rune obviously is not involved given that the Dane is injured and will be out until likely the end of 2026.

He was seen training on one leg earlier this week but he will be in no fit condition to travel to Australia so he has been replaced. Alexander Bublik who is World No.11 and sits on the cusp of the top 10 after a season that saw him deliver four titles is also involved in Kooyong ending his preparation before the big major at the event.

While Karen Khachanov has also been added to the line-up as well as Learner Tien. The latter ended the season as World No.28 having won his maiden title in Metz with many wondering on social media why he was snubbed for the Breakthrough award in the ATP Awards.

He is also coached by the legendary Michael Chang. While in the women's event. Marin Cilic the former Grand Slam champion as well as Hubert Hurkacz are also involved in the tournament in a year of Kooyong Classic that doesn't see the huge names of the past but it is a more competitive field akin to an ATP 250 or 500 the week before the main action begins.

Zhang Zhizhen and Matteo Berrettini also headline the field while there will also presumably be one women's showcase match as Daniela Hantuchova the former World No.5 turned pundit and commentator will be involved as will Donna Vekic.

Albeit Peter Johnston, who puts on the tournament as the long-time director has faced a lot of challenges including disappearing from the calendar for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A near $2.4million AUD loss and the long-time CEO departed for the club itself over the tournament which was well ran but Johnston admitted that external investment was needed for it to return in 2026 and that it was a testing time.

"That's enabled us to put it on," he told Reuters. "So we've got SBS back and we're signing a few different deals for international broadcast rights and some sponsorship rights. And we're starting to make progress again."

"The club really had a look at what is essential as a membership club. It wanted to doubly focus on club-related activities."