Hewitt, Nishikori, Boulter: The biggest names set to compete in 2026 Australian Open qualifying

The 2026 Australian Open is set to begin very shortly, with the best players in the world competing for the major title. However, the full lineup is not completed yet. There is still a number of places left for players to get into via the Australian Open qualifying, with Cruz Hewitt one of the standout players set to compete for a rewarding spot in the main draw.

It is no mean feat to make it into the main draw. Players must play and win three matches to book their spot outright in the Grand Slam. There is a slim chance that they could get in as a lucky loser if players withdraw.

This process is brutal. No second chances, no slip ups or your dreams of competing in Melbourne will be extinguished. There have been some surprising runs through qualifying before. A prime example was the 2021 US Open, where Emma Raducanu came through this process before going on to win the event as an 18-year-old in just her second Grand Slam in what was a spellbinding result.

This is most likely a tall order for many of these players who look to come through qualifying. The top 104 are automatically qualified, with the rest looking to sneak into the coveted competition.

The son of two-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one Lleyton Hewitt, Cruz Hewitt is looking to follow in his father's steps, albeit after developing more as his tennis career progresses. The 17-year-old has already showed his credentials on the court with huge potential. This has earned him a wildcard for qualifying. While he has never debuted in a major tournament, he will be hoping that this is the time that he gets over the line and cements himself as one of the brightest players on the ATP Tour.

With youth also comes experience, and Kei Nishikori comes in bags of it. The 2014 US Open finalist has made the quarter-finals in Australian Open four times, with the last coming back in 2019. Since then, he has dropped down the rankings with age and injuries being a factor. The 36-year-old will be looking to make a return for the first time since 2021.

Dan Evans used to be a regular in Grand Slam events, despite maybe not making the impact in them he would be hoping. In recent times he has seen his game decline, seeing automatic qualification not a given. He only featured at Wimbledon last year, failing to qualify for the other three tournaments. The Brit hopes for a change of fortune to end his barren spell of form and to get back up to where he has been for the majority of his career.

The last time Katie Boulter has been forced to go through the qualifying process was back in the 2023 French Open. Since then, she has won a handful of titles and enjoyed a consistent run of form which has seen her rise up the rankings to inside the top 30. This time last year, she was seeded for the event, making the second round. Now, if she has any chance of replicating this she will need to get over her dreadful recent form to return to the Australian Open.

Two-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist Kristina Mladenovic is also in the hunt for a return to the major competition. After peaking in a singles rank as world number 10, she has not been able to reach the heights, not competing in the Australian Open since 2022. The six-time doubles champion is not the only doubles talent looking to convert their skills into a different category. Former doubles number one Taylor Townsend is also set to commence her quest of making it through a savage field to make it seven Grand Slam appearances on the spin.

There is a very high chance that not all of these players will make it into the main draw, with just 16 spots on offer in each draw. Qualifying will take place from January 12-15, with the main draw lasting from January 18 - February 1.