Alex de Minaur will enter the 2026 ATP Tour season hoping to end his nation’s long wait for an Australian Open Men’s Singles champion.
Not since 1976 has an Australian man won the title in Melbourne. That year, world number 212 Mark Edmondson stunned his peers by winning the title.
To this day, Edmondson remains the lowest-ranked player to win a Grand Slam singles title in the Open Era.
Alex de Minaur will look to end this unfortunate Australian streak when he begins his Australian Open campaign on January 18.
Who will win the 2026 men’s Australian Open?
Ahead of the Australian Open, de Minaur is set to participate in the United Cup – a mixed-gender event taking place in Perth and Sydney.
Alex de Minaur is set to play Casper Ruud in his opening United Cup match
The United Cup, first established in 2023, is set to get underway on January 2, 2026.
The tournament, last won by the USA, will open with a match between Spain and Argentina on January 2 – taking place in Perth.
Will Alex de Minaur finish 2026 ranked inside the top five?
On January 3, a number of matches will take place in Perth and Sydney, including Australia vs Norway.
Australia will rely on young star Maya Joint for the opening match. Joint, who will play Malene Helgo, could be set to have a better 2026 season than Alexandra Eala and Victoria Mboko.
Alex de Minaur will then play three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud.
De Minaur and Ruud have played each other twice before on the ATP Tour. The Australian won both contests: at the 2019 Next Gen Finals and the 2024 Acapulco Open.
Ruud’s one victory against the ‘Demon’ occurred at the 2018 Braga Challenger.
Alex de Minaur speaks about his poor record against Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Alex de Minaur has struggled mightily against the world’s two best players throughout his career.
Heading into the 2026 season, de Minaur has a combined 0-18 record against Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner on the ATP Tour.
Ahead of the United Cup, the Australian star spoke about closing the gap to Alcaraz and Sinner.
In an interview with Tennis Australia, reported by TennisONE, de Minaur said: “There’s no other way than getting better, right? That’s what it is. You ultimately have to bridge the gap.
“I’ve played some very close matches the last couple years vs both and you feel like you’re getting closer.”
