Australian Open 2026: Complete list of men's and women's singles wildcards ft. Venus Williams, Priscilla Hon

The wildcard recipients for the Australian Open 2026 have been revealed, with seven-time Major champion Venus Williams leading the list. She will be making her 22nd appearance Down Under, and her record extending 95th appearance at a Major.

Williams hasn't competed that often in recent years on account of injuries. She made a brief return to the tour during the US swing in 2025, reaching the second round of the Citi DC Open and the quarterfinals of the US Open in doubles. She finished as the runner-up at the Australian Open in 2003 and 2017, going down to sister Serena Williams on both occasions.

Emerson Jones, Zarina Diyas, and Elizabeth Mandlik earned their wildcards the hard way, coming through the play-offs of their respective regions. Jones won the Tennis Australia's Wildcard Points Race, Diyas was the Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoff champion, and Mandlik won the USTA Wildcard Challenge.

Talia Gibson, Taylah Preston, Priscilla Hon, and Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah were the remaining wildcard awardees on the women's side. All displayed considerable promise with their results last year, prompting the tournament organizers to reward them for their efforts.

With all wildcard spots decided on the women's side, that would mean there's no room for two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka in the main draw this time. Currently ranked No. 132, she couldn't make the main draw cut on her own, and didn't enter the qualifying rounds either.

On the men's side, five of the eight available wildcard spots have been revealed. Patrick Kypson, James Duckworth, and Bu Yunchaokete earned their spots via their country's respective wildcard challenges, similarly to their female counterparts.

Kyrian Jacquet and Rinky Hijikata were also given wildcards. The latter won the doubles title Down Under in 2023, and finished as the runner-up in doubles at Wimbledon 2025. With three more wildcards still left to be awarded, the only question on everyone's mind is whether Nick Kyrgios would get one.

Australian Open women's singles wildcards

• Venus Williams
• Taylah Preston
• Elizabeth Mandlik
• Emerson Jones
• Zarina Diyas
• Priscilla Hon
• Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah
• Talia Gibson

Australian Open men's singles wildcards

• Rinky Hijikata
• Kyrian Jacquet
• Bu Yunchaokete
• Patrick Kypson
• James Duckworth
• TBA
• TBA
• TBA

Venus Williams to compete at the Australian Open for the first time since 2021

Venus Williams at the Charlotte Invitational 2025. (Photo: Getty)

Thanks to her wildcard, Venus Williams will return to the Australian Open for the first time since 2021. She beat Kristen Flipkens in the first round and then lost to Sara Errani in the second round that year.

Williams did have her mind on competing in the Melbourne Major in 2023. However, she picked up an injury after competing in the ASB Classic prior to the season's first Major, thus leading to a change in her plans.

This will also be Williams first Major as a married woman. She recently tied the knot with actor Andrea Preti in a lavish ceremony in Florida, with the festivities lasting for a week.

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Edited by Rohit