The 2026 WTA season is now well and truly underway, with various tournaments currently taking place.
The events are helping form the Australian Swing, which will culminate with the Australian Open in Melbourne.
The hard-court Grand Slam returns later this month and ends in early February, with Melbourne Park playing host.
Currently, however, WTA and ATP players are involved in the United Cup, while the Brisbane International and ASB Classic both feature female stars.
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Venus Williams and Emma Navarro among American women to exit Auckland early
But American women are enduring a nightmare time at the latter, having gone 1-7 in the opening round in Auckland.
Venus Williams lost her opening ASB Classic match in New Zealand, as did number two seed Emma Navarro and former US Open champion Sloane Stephens.
They were joined in opening round exits by Caty McNally, Peyton Stearns, Alycia Parks and Whitney Osuigwe.
Remarkably, the last American woman standing in the event is 18-year-old Iva Jovic, the youngest of the entire group.
The teenage sensation has since stormed into the ASB Classic quarterfinals, where she takes on Sofia Costoulas.
American women have reasons to be hopeful ahead of Australian Open
Fortunately for American tennis, it hasn’t all been doom and gloom in the very early stages of the 2026 season.
Along with Jovic, Coco Gauff has been impressing at the United Cup, where the USA are into the semifinals.
Gauff has once again been the standout player for her country at the tournament, where ATP ace Taylor Fritz is also involved.
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There is also a reason to be hopeful as the Adelaide International approaches, with Madison Keys having defeated her compatriot Jessica Pegula in last year’s final.
Another American winner emerged at the Hobart International last time out as McCartney Kessler clinched the trophy, with similar success certainly on the cards later this month.
Not long after, Keys secured a stunning title at the Australian Open, representing one of two American Grand Slam champions in 2025 alongside Coco Gauff.
Their compatriot Amanda Anisimova also hugely impressed on the big stage, reaching the finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open.
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