The brand-new tennis season is upon us and plenty of names are back into the fold before the Australian Open.
Nick Kyrgios will return to tennis at the Brisbane International for his first competitive action since the 2025 Miami Open.
Paula Badosa will also return to WTA action in Brisbane as the Spanish star has entered the doubles draw alongside Aryna Sabalenka.
While some players are returning to the fold, another star has cancelled their planned return at Australian Open qualifying.
Jennifer Brady pulls out of Australian Open qualifying
Jennifer Brady was set to return to the WTA Tour by aiming to clinch her place at the Australian Open through qualifying.
The American star has not played the Australian Open since she reached the final of the Grand Slam back in 2021, after she lost to Naomi Osaka in the final.
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A combination of a foot injury and a knee problem has kept the American out intermittently since then, but the star has not played a competitive tournament since the 2023 China Open.
Brady has now withdrawn from the Australian Open qualifying for undisclosed reasons, but the star’s inactivity will continue into 2026.
The American’s last match was against Magda Linette in Beijing, which she was forced to withdraw from in the second set.
British star Mimi Xu will take Jennifer Brady’s place
British tennis star Mimi Xu enjoyed a breakout season in 2025, which included her Wimbledon debut and an ITF title.
At World No. 230, Xu was on the cusp of Australian Open qualifying so she decided to fly out to the country as an alternate.
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Brady’s withdrawal means that decision has now been rewarded as she will now be given the chance to compete for a place in the Australian Open main draw.
Xu’s only appearance at a Grand Slam so far came at Wimbledon, when she lost to Emma Raducanu in the first round.
The British star also entered the Wimbledon women’s doubles draw alongside Ella McDonald and the pair reached the second round of the tournament.
Xu will join fellow Brits Jan Choinski, Billy Harris, Katie Boulter, and Harriet Dart in the Australian Open qualifying.
