Alex de Minaur’s Australian Open hopes have taken a hit, with the top-ranked Australian copping a nightmare run in the tournament draw.
But his chances are stronger than Thanasi Kokkinakis’, whose shoulder injury sustained in the Adelaide International have caused him to withdraw from the singles event.
Seeded sixth after his performance at the United Cup, de Minaur will begin his tournament against unseeded Italian Matteo Berrettini, a former World No.6 and Wimbledon finalist who made it to the semi-final at Melbourne Park in 2022 before sliding down the rankings due to injury in recent years.
Following that, big-hitting American Frances Tiafoe, a two-time grand slam semi-finalist, awaits in the third round, with tenth seed Alexander Bublik is a potential fourth-round opponent.
De Minaur will then likely have to face top seed and six-time grand slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, against whom he holds an ugly 0-5 record, though they have never met in a best-of-five match.
The one positive is that two-time reigning Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner, who thrashed de Minaur in the 2025 quarter-finals and 2022 fourth round and holds a 13-0 record over him, is on the other side of the draw, meaning they cannot face one another until the final.
Kokkinakis’ withdrawal, publicly revealed via a social media post, came before the draw was announced, allowing his spot to go to a lucky loser from qualifying. He had previously qualified for the main draw through a protected ranking.
Kokkinakis will, however, compete at the Australian Open in the men’s doubles, partnering up with close friend Nick Kyrgios looking for a second title at Melbourne Park, after winning in 2022.
Unfortunately after speaking with my team and doctors I have made the decision to pull out of the @AustralianOpen singles. After an incredibly tough year this was the event I was looking forward to the most but I’m not ready yet.
— Thanasi Kokkinakis (@TKokkinakis) January 15, 2026
We will still give doubles a go
The only other seeded Australian in either singles draw is women’s world No.30 Maya Joint, who faces Tereza Valentova in the first round.
However, her draw gets tougher from there, including a potential third-round date with fifth seed and 2023 Australian Open runner-up Elena Rybakina, while tenth seed Belinda Bencic – who went through undefeated representing Switzerland at the United Cup – and one of world No.2 Iga Swiatek or two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka waiting in the wings.
The unluckiest Australian is the unseeded Adam Walton, who must face world No.1 Alcaraz in a baptism of fire in the first round.
Australians in the men’s singles
Alex de Minaur (6) vs Matteo Berrettini
Alexei Popyrin vs Alexandre Muller
Adam Walton vs Carlos Alcaraz (1)
Aleksandar Vukic vs Thiago Augstin Tirante
Tristan Schoolkate vs Corentin Moutet (1)
James Duckworth (WC) vs Qualifier/Lucky Loser
Jordan Thompson (WC) vs Juan Manuel Cerundolo
Chris O’Connell (WC) vs Q/LL
Rinky Hijikata (WC) vs Adrian Mannarino
Australians in the women’s singles
Maya Joint (30) vs Tereza Valentova
Daria Kasatkina vs Q
Ajla Tomljanovic vs Q
Kim Birrell vs Q
Priscilla Hon (WC) vs Qualifier
Talia Gibson (WC) vs Anna Blinkova
Emerson Jones (WC) vs Victoria Mboko (17)
Taylah Preston (WC) vs Zhang Shuai
The Roarhttps://https://ift.tt/VmHdOnz Open draw revealed: De Minaur to start against former grand slam finalist in nightmare run, Kokkinakis withdraws
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