Brisbane International WTA 2026: Schedule, Entry List, Draw and Predictions

To start the WTA season is the Brisbane International which takes place between 4-11 January, 2026 and is the fifteenth edition of the tournament to take place at the Queensland Tennis Centre as part of the Australian Open Series in preparation for the first Grand Slam of the year.

Aryna Sabalenka is the defending champion. She defeated Polina Kudermetova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to win the women's singles title at the 2025 Brisbane International. It was her 18th career WTA Tour singles title. Elena Rybakina was the defending champion last year and after a year sojourn, she will return to play in the tournament in 2026 after playing in the United Cup in 2025.

As well as Sabalenka and Rybakina, Amanda Anisimova is also involved. The American played the ASB Classic previously and had a breakout 2025 which saw her shoot into the top five in the world and become one of the best players on tour in 2025. She is also joined by Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Mirra Andreeva, Ekaterina Alexandrova among others as well as Karolina Muchova, Leylah Fernandez and Paula Badosa.

With the tournament starting on January 4, it is likely that the draw will be confirmed over the New Year period. It will be here when confirmed and out.

The schedule will likely be confirmed on January 2nd or 3rd ahead of the January 4th start with the top seeds likely to get early byes to play later in the week. Again it will also be confirmed here when it is confirmed.

Samuel Gill, Head Editor for TennisUpToDate.com sees Amanda Anisimova as the champion in the season opener.

This tournament is quite hard to gauge of course as every player has not played yet and some ended the year with more stock than others so pair that with the usual unpredictable WTA fayre and it is very much one that likely will see all predicting with a wrong prediction.

I'm playing it safe of sorts and saying that Amanda Anisimova will scoop the title. The American is superb in these kind of events and hasn't done it yet in a Slam so screams her having a great week.

I see Aryna Sabalenka going out early and also Elena Rybakina having a great week. She has been a bit silent since winning the WTA Finals but is back in training compared to many enjoying Christmas so is one to watch.

I'd also lump Karolina Muchova and Leylah Fernandez as potential winners if outside bets are to be listened to. Both often have demon runs out of nowhere and it could be another week that happens.

*** Amanda Anisimova

** Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina

* Karolina Muchova, Leylah Fernandez, Madison Keys

Lucas Michael, Editor for TennisUpToDate.com sees a winning return for Aryna Sabalenka to action.

The Brisbane International has may fans highly anticipated for the start of the 2026 campaign. The WTA event is stacked with big names looking to get out of the blocks and commence their season with a bang.

For me two names standout: Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Ryabkina. The duo met in a competitive WTA Finals clash with the Kazakh producing some scintillating tennis to clinch the title. If she can continue that form up when travelling to Australia, then she could run rampant Down Under.

Other then her, it is hard to see who can stop Sabalenka in her tracks. The world number one is remarkably consistent in these types of events, regularly going deep. She suffered a lot of disappointment last year and will be hoping her fortunes later in competitions are reversed.

Aside from those two, Amanda Anisimova has to be up there in contention. The world number four will be hoping to prolong the form which saw her rise up the rankings after what was an incredible year. She became the American number two ahead of the likes of Jessica Pegula. Her grit and determination could see her go deep, and I fancy her chances of taking the title if it was not for who was around her. The same for the reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys who is in desperate need of a fast start with a bucket-load of ranking points on the line.

I will be sticking with my guns and say the title will go to either Sabalenka or Rybakina. It is a flip of a coin between them, but for me Sabalenka will nick it and defend her title.

*** Aryna Sabalenka

** Elena Rybakina, Amanda Anisimova

* Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Mirra Andreeva