Draper joins Rune, Goffin on Australian Open withdrawal list
Just weeks before Melbourne, Draper confirmed he won’t travel to Australia as he continues to recover from a humerus injury sustained last summer. Here’s what we know about the 2026 men’s Australian Open entry list.
Jack Draper, Australian Open 2025 | © Julien Nouet / Tennis Majors
Jack Draper has officially withdrawn from the 2026 Australian Open, a move that reshapes the men’s field just weeks before the tennis season’s first Grand Slam.
The world No. 10 announced his decision on Friday, Dec. 26, via a video message posted to his social media accounts. Draper revealed he is still recovering from bone bruising in his left (playing) arm – specifically the humerus – an injury that has sidelined him since the US Open in late August.
“My team and I have decided not to head out to Australia this year, Draper said. It’s a really tough decision… however, I’ve had this injury for a long time. To step back on court into best-of-five-set tennis so soon just doesn’t seem like the smart decision right now.”
This marks the second time Draper has postponed his return to competitive tennis, following his absence from the UTS Grand Final in mid-December.
The tournament also saw the withdrawal of former world No. 7 David Goffin, who confirmed his decision on Thursday, Dec. 25. Currently ranked No. 119, the 35-year-old Belgian did not receive a main-draw wildcard and had been expected to play the qualifying event. However, Goffin cited ongoing knee discomfort as the reason for his absence, choosing to prioritize rest and recovery over a trip to Melbourne.
These high-profile exits follow the earlier withdrawal of world No. 15 Holger Rune, who remains sidelined by a ruptured Achilles tendon. Consequently, world No. 102 Vít Kopřiva is now confirmed to move directly into the main draw to fill one of the vacancies.
Despite the thinning ranks, the tournament remains anchored by the game’s elite. World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz headlines the entry list as he chases a career Grand Slam. He is followed by world No. 2 Jannik Sinner, the two-time defending champion aiming for a historic “three-peat.” World No. 3 Alexander Zverev and 10-time champion Novak Djokovic round out the top four seeds.
The entry list features 97 of the world’s top 100 players, including four men using protected rankings: Chinese stars Shang Juncheng and Zhang Zhizhen, Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori, and local favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis.
The Australian Open wild-cards
Tennis Australia has confirmed five of the eight available men’s main-draw wildcards:
- James Duckworth (AUS): Winner of the Australian Pro Tour Wildcard Race (currently ranked No. 86 but not included in the entry list when it was frozen on Dec. 8).
- Bu Yunchaokete (CHN): Asia-Pacific Wildcard Play-off winner (currently ranked No. 122).
- Patrick Kypson (USA): USTA reciprocal wildcard (currently ranked No. 118).
- Kyrian Jacquet (FRA): FFT reciprocal wildcard (currently ranked No. 138).
- Rinky Hijikata (AUS): Discretionary selection (currently ranked No. 114).
Three discretionary wildcards remain unallocated. One could go to Nick Kyrgios, currently ranked No. 671, who is preparing for his return to competition in Brisbane next week.
The path to the main draw for qualifiers begins Monday, Jan. 12, featuring a deep field that includes former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori, Dan Evans, and Nicolás Jarry.
The official draw ceremony for the main draw is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. Main-draw action begins Sunday, Jan. 18, at Melbourne Park.
