2026 ATP & WTA Season Kicks Off: What to Watch This Week in Auckland, Adelaide, and Hobart
The new tennis season is off and running, and if week one is any indication, we’re in for a thrilling ride in 2026. With ATP and WTA action unfolding across Auckland, Adelaide, and Hobart, fans are getting a first look at rising stars, seasoned veterans shaking off the off-season rust, and early title contenders looking to make a statement. Here’s a deep dive into what’s happening on the courts this week-and why it matters.
Auckland - ATP 250: New Season, New Energy
Qualifying Action (Sunday, Jan. 4):
The ASB Classic in Auckland got rolling with qualifying rounds, giving hungry up-and-comers a shot at the main draw. Matches kicked off at 11:00 AM local time, and while the big names weren’t yet on court, the intensity was already high.
Players were battling not just for wins, but for a coveted spot in the main event.
Main Draw Begins (Monday, Jan. 5):
By Monday, the real show began. The ATP Tour’s main draw opened with a mix of local favorites, tour veterans, and young guns eager to make their mark.
First serves flew at 12:00 PM, and fans saw a classic early-season mix: some players finding their rhythm, others already in mid-season form.
Seeds Enter the Fray (Tuesday, Jan. 6):
Tuesday brought the second wave of first-round matches, and with it, the top seeds made their debuts. As the temperature climbed, so did the intensity.
Expect tight three-setters and some early surprises as players adjust to outdoor conditions and a fresh season.
Round Two & Momentum Building (Wednesday, Jan. 7):
By midweek, the field started to take shape. Round two kicked off at noon, and with it came potential matchups involving big names-think Monfils possibly making his season debut.
Seeds began to face trickier opponents, and the doubles draw picked up steam as teams looked to build chemistry heading into the year.
Finals Night (Saturday, Jan. 10):
It all leads to Saturday night under the lights. The Auckland final begins at 5:00 PM local time, with the first ATP trophy of the season up for grabs.
Expect fireworks-players are hungry to start the year with silverware.
Adelaide - WTA 500 & ATP 250: Double the Action, Double the Drama
WTA 500 Main Draw Opens (Sunday, Jan. 11):
The women took center stage in Adelaide to open the week. The WTA 500 event began at noon, and the first day saw seeded players getting their feet under them while local Aussie hopefuls looked to ride the home crowd energy.
The doubles draw also kicked off, offering fans plenty to follow from the start.
Early Marquee Matchups (Monday, Jan. 12):
By Monday, the tournament started to heat up. Big names like Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, and Mirra Andreeva were expected to hit the court.
The draw began to settle, and fans got a clearer picture of potential quarterfinal and semifinal showdowns.
ATP 250 Joins the Party (Monday, Jan. 12):
While the WTA event was already in full swing, the men’s ATP 250 draw opened on the same day. The spotlight was firmly on Novak Djokovic’s season debut, while names like Jack Draper and Stefanos Tsitsipas also drew attention.
The Memorial Drive crowd brought the energy, making for a high-octane start to the men’s tournament.
Joint Matchday (Tuesday, Jan. 13):
Tuesday saw both tours in action-a treat for fans, with matches running from day into night. ATP round one continued, WTA first rounds wrapped up, and doubles matches kept the tempo high across all courts.
Quarterfinal Thursday (Thursday, Jan. 15):
This is where things get serious. Quarterfinals for both tours began with a full slate of elimination matches.
Day session started at noon, and the night session picked up at 7:00 PM. With titles in sight, every point started to feel heavier.
Finals Day (Saturday, Jan. 17):
Adelaide wraps up in style, with champions crowned in both the ATP and WTA draws. It’s one of the rare events outside the Slams that offers a dual final day, and it promises a high-stakes finish to a jam-packed week.
Hobart - WTA 250: A Launchpad for Breakout Runs
Opening Day (Monday, Jan. 12):
Tasmania’s capital got in on the action as Hobart hosted its WTA 250 event. Matches began at 11:00 AM, with a strong field that included Elise Mertens, Emma Raducanu, McCartney Kessler, and Barbora Krejcikova.
For some, it’s about gaining momentum before the Australian Open. For others, it’s a shot at a career-defining title run.
Round Two (Wednesday, Jan. 14):
By Wednesday, the draw tightened. Seeds started clashing with early-round standouts, and the level of play ratcheted up.
Matches began at noon, and fans saw a blend of power, finesse, and nerves as players fought for semifinal spots.
Semifinal Friday (Friday, Jan. 16):
Today is all about the final four. Singles semifinals are set for late afternoon, giving fans a prime-time window to watch players battle for a spot in Saturday’s final.
Doubles semis follow, rounding out a full day of high-stakes tennis.
Championship Saturday (Saturday, Jan. 17):
The week wraps with the Hobart final at 3:00 PM local time. The WTA 250 trophy is on the line, and for whoever lifts it, it could be the start of a big 2026 campaign.
How to Watch
Tennis fans around the world can follow all the action through:
- ATP Tennis TV
- WTA Live
- Regional broadcasters
- Global sports streaming platforms
Daily match listings are updated around 9:00 AM local time at each tournament site, so fans can stay locked in throughout the week.
Bottom Line:
The 2026 tennis season is already delivering.
Whether you're tracking Djokovic’s return, the rise of the next WTA star, or a surprise title run in Hobart, there’s no shortage of storylines. This is the kind of week where momentum is built, confidence is earned, and the foundation is laid for what could be a defining year on tour.