Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa have decided to begin their 2026 season with a joint doubles appearance at the WTA 500 tournament in Brisbane International, adding an extra competitive element to their early-season schedule. The pair will face Liudmila Samsonova and Shuai Zhang in the opening round, a demanding matchup against two established singles players with notable doubles experience.
For Sabalenka, the decision carries particular significance. The world No. 1 has not played an official WTA doubles match in nearly three years, making this her first appearance in the discipline since the 2022 season. While doubles has not been a regular part of her calendar in recent years, it will be an opportunity to gain rhythm ahead of the first major of the year — and doing so alongside a close friend makes it even more appealing.
Badosa, currently ranked world No. 25 following an injury-affected 2025 season, will be looking to spend more time on court after months of inactivity. The Spaniard has played just one tournament in the past six months, returning at the China Open in October. Although she won her first-round match, she retired after only six games in the second round against Karolína Muchová (2–4, ret.).
This will mark the official return of the Sabalenka/Badosa pairing, who last teamed up during the 2022 season at the Madrid Open, where they were defeated by the American duo of Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula.
Other notable names featured in the doubles draw — and usually seen competing in singles — include Linda Nosková alongside Clara Tauson, both established Top 15 singles players, as well as Mirra Andreeva, who will partner singles world No. 10 Ekaterina Alexandrova. Also receiving a wildcard are Priscilla Hon and Czech player Karolína Muchova, another competitor looking to regain match rhythm at the start of the season after dealing with injuries.
Badosa and Sabalenka in search of rhythm
Badosa has been struggling with a lower back injury for several years, and in 2025 she faced the same issue once again, forcing her to withdraw from a series of tournaments — notably shortly after making her return to the Top 10. The Spaniard reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open earlier in the season, but as the months passed, injuries prevented her from performing consistently.
That strong start to the year helped Badosa offset the large number of tournaments she missed later in the season. However, she now faces the challenge of defending those ranking points if she wants to remain near the top of the standings. In Melbourne, she will be defending 800 points after losing in the semifinals — notably to Sabalenka — which accounts for nearly half of her current ranking total. An early exit could see her drop to around No. 80 in the rankings.
For that reason, gaining match rhythm in Brisbane could prove crucial for Badosa to feel comfortable on court again. While Sabalenka does not typically compete in doubles, this occasion may benefit her as well by providing additional competitive court time — something training sessions cannot fully replicate — ahead of the first major of the season.
Sabalenka faces the task of defending her title in Brisbane and her final appearance at the Australian Open. Should she fail to produce strong results, even the world No. 1 ranking could come under threat, although that would largely depend on what Iga Swiatek is able to achieve. Even so, the Belarusian arrives as the clear favourite at the start of the season to claim titles in both Brisbane and Melbourne.
High-level draw in Brisbane
Both Sabalenka and Badosa will be part of the Brisbane International main draw, one of the traditional early stops of the season, which will feature seven Top 10 players and as many as 15 players ranked inside the Top 25.
Alongside tournament favourite Sabalenka and former world No. 2 Badosa, the field includes names such as Amanda Anisimova, Elena Rybakina, Madison Keys, and Jessica Pegula, all aiming to build early momentum and set the tone for the new season.
The tournament will be held from January 5 to January 11, marking the first standalone WTA event of the season, aside from the already underway United Cup, which features other high-profile names such as Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Jasmine Paolini, competing in the mixed-team event alongside their respective countries.
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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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