New coach for Carlos Alcaraz; Emma Raducanu to make Uniqlo jump official | 4 bold predictions for tennis in January 2026

Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, Emma Raducanu, and other top stars are all getting ready for the upcoming Australian swing. Most players have already arrived in the country for their warm-up tournaments before the season's first Major.

Novak Djokovic's quest for a historic 25th Major title is rightfully going to dominate the headlines. Alcaraz, along with Swiatek, are also on course to etch their names in history, with both vying to complete the Career Grand Slam. Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, will aim to continue their dominance in Melbourne.

Amidst the big headlines, there are other storylines in play in the background, and the numerous possibilities that come along with them. Here's a look at four bold predictions that could unfold in the world of tennis in January 2026:

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#1. Carlos Alcaraz to potentially hire a new coach

Carlos Alcaraz's recent split with his long-time coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, shook the tennis world. The two were together since 2019, and the parting wasn't even remotely on anyone's radar. However, the young Spaniard isn't without a coach at the moment.

Samuel Lopez, who worked as a second coach under Ferrero, is still a part of Alcaraz's camp. Lopez will shoulder the responsibility of being the main coach for the next few months. However, the upcoming Australian Open is quite important for the World No. 1.

Alcaraz is bidding to complete the Career Grand Slam in Melbourne. With such an important milestone on the line, he could hire an experienced coach to join his entourage. If he fails in his attempt to achieve the feat, then the need for a new voice in his camp would only grow louder. Thus, there's a good chance that he ends up teaming up with someone new sooner rather than later.

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#2. Iga Swiatek to potentially make an early exit from the Australian Open 2026

Iga Swiatek at the United Cup 2026. (Photo: Getty)

Carlos Alcaraz isn't the only one chasing history Down Under. Iga Swiatek is also on the cusp of completing the Career Grand Slam, which she could accomplish with a triumph at the Australian Open 2026.

Swiatek was quite consistent at the Majors in 2025. She made the semifinals in Melbourne and Paris before going all the way at Wimbledon, and then made the quarterfinals of the US Open. It marked the first time she made at least the last eight of all four Majors in a single season.

Swiatek will aim to channel this consistency in the coming season as well. She hasn't made deep runs at the Australian Open in consecutive editions. Following her semifinal showing in 2022, she didn't venture beyond the fourth and third rounds in 2023 and 2024.

The Pole made the last four once again in 2025, and blew a match point during her loss to eventual champion Madison Keys. Based on her track record, Swiatek could suffer an early exit from this year's Australian Open.

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#3. Emma Raducanu to possibly announce her new deal with Uniqlo

The rumor mill has been working overtime for the past few weeks regarding Emma Raducanu's impending split with her long-time sponsor, Nike. According to insiders, she's likely to sign with Uniqlo.

Raducanu is scheduled to compete in the United Cup 2026, which will begin from January 2. She will get her campaign underway on Sunday, January 4, against Naomi Osaka. Her rumored new deal could be announced before her match, or maybe before the Australian Open since it's a bigger tournament.

Raducanu has already made one big change during the off-season. She has apparently switched her racket sponsor from Wilson to Yonex. While there's no official confirmation regarding the same, it is assumed a done deal as she has been spotted hitting with Yonex rackets since her arrival in Australia.

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#4. Venus Williams to potentially end her losing streak at the Majors

Venus Williams at the Charlotte Invitational. (Photos: Getty)

45-year-old Venus Williams is showing no signs of slowing down, returning to compete once again in 2026. She will participate in the ASB Classic followed by an appearance at the Australian Open.

Williams made a brief return to the tour in 2025 following a lengthy hiatus. She even scored a top 40 win en route to the second round of the Citi DC Open, and made the quarterfinals of the US Open in doubles. She recently tied the knot with actor Andrea Preti in a lavish ceremony.

Williams hasn't won a match in singles at the Majors since her second-round exit from Wimbledon 2021. She came quite close to doing so this year, pushing 11th seed Karolina Muchova to three sets in the first round of the US Open 2025. She will aim to channel the same form in Melbourne, where she will compete for the first time since 2021. The American still has the skills, and a kind draw could possibly help her in ending her losing skid at the Majors.

Edited by Rohit