The big names in men’s and women’s tennis are gearing up for a return to Grand Slam tennis in Melbourne, but it’s not going well for everyone…
While the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Daniil Medvedev, and Iga Swiatek make fast starts at the Brisbane International and United Cup, others are struggling.
Who will be the biggest disappointment at the 2026 Australian Open?
Just eight days into the new year, 10 former Grand Slam singles champions have already lost matches.
But who are the unlucky 10, and how did they come unstuck?
The 10 former Grand Slam champions who have already lost in 2026
Marin Cilic
The 2014 US Open champion is the only ‘active’ men’s Grand Slam singles winner to have lost a match this year.
Croatia’s Marin Cilic won his opener in Hong Kong, taking down Adrian Mannarino in straight sets, but fell short in round two.
Cilic lost to Nuno Borges, 5-7, 3-6, picking up his first defeat of the new year.
Venus Williams
The legendary American is still going strong at 45, but hasn’t exactly got off to a flying start in 2026.
Venus Williams lost her opening doubles match before Magda Linette beat her in singles at the ASB Classic.
Leaving New Zealand with an 0-2 record, Williams has work to do before the Australian Open begins.
Coco Gauff
When the United Cup draw was made, Coco Gauff must’ve thought she’d win both her group-stage games without much trouble at all.
However, after beating Solana Sierra in her opener, Gauff lost to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, the world number 42.
She did redeem herself in the quarterfinals, though, defeating Maria Sakkari to help Team USA advance.
Which country do you think will win the United Cup?
Naomi Osaka
Japan’s Naomi Osaka lost to Sakkari in her first match of the season.
Feeling under the weather, the four-time Grand Slam winner failed to provide much resistance against the hard-hitting Greek star.
She did, however, win her second singles match, against Great Britain’s Katie Swan.
Emma Raducanu
2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu wasn’t fit to play her first match at the United Cup, but returned to take on Sakkari.
Like Osaka, Raducanu was beaten by the Greek star, who has made a fine start to 2026.
Jelena Ostapenko
Jelena Ostapenko is one of the most inconsistent yet entertaining players on tour.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Ostapenko lost her opening match at the Brisbane International, coming up short against Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea.
Sloane Stephens
Looking to win her first match on the WTA Tour since July 2024, former US Open champion Sloane Stephens took on Renata Zarazua at the ASB Classic.
Unfortunately for Stephens, it wasn’t to be, as her losing streak stretched to 13 matches.
Marketa Vondrousova
Czechia’s Marketa Vondrousova played her part in one of the most entertaining matches of the 2026 season so far.
After almost three and a half hours, Vondrousova lost to Magdalena Frech, having failed to convert three match points.
The 2023 Wimbledon champion will want to move on from that defeat fairly quickly…
Barbora Krejcikova
Vondrousova’s fellow Czech, Barbora Krejcikova, started well at the United Cup, defeating Malene Helgo and Maya Joint to help her side qualify for the quarterfinals.
Unfortunately for Krejcikova, it was there that her run would come to an end, against Belgium’s Elise Mertens.
Sofia Kenin
The American won her first match of the year at the Brisbane International, defeating Elena-Gabriela Ruse, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Advancing to the second round, Kenin met her match, falling to 2025 breakout star Ekaterina Alexandrova in straight sets.
Full list of Grand Slam winners who have lost in 2026
- Marin Cilic lost to Nuno Borges, 5-7, 3-6 (2026 Hong Kong Open 2R)
- Venus Williams lost to Magda Linette, 4-6, 6-4, 2-6 (2026 ASB Classic 1R)
- Coco Gauff lost to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, 1-6, 7-6, 0-6 (2026 United Cup RR)
- Naomi Osaka lost to Maria Sakkari, 4-6, 2-6 (2026 United Cup RR)
- Emma Raducanu lost to Maria Sakkari, 3-6, 6-3, 1-6 (2026 United Cup RR)
- Jelena Ostapenko lost to Sorana Cirstea, 2-6, 6-7 (2026 Brisbane International 2R)
- Sloane Stephens lost to Renata Zarazua, 5-7, 6-4, 2-6 (2026 ASB Classic 1R)
- Marketa Vondrousova lost to Magdalena Frech, 5-7, 7-6, 6-7 (2026 Brisbane International 1R)
- Barbora Krejcikova lost to Elise Mertens, 7-5, 1-6, 5-7 (2026 United Cup QF)
- Sofia Kenin lost to Ekaterina Alexandrova, 2-6, 3-6 (2026 Brisbane International 2R)
Which Grand Slam champions remain unbeaten?
10 ‘active’ Grand Slam champions have yet to lose a match in 2026.
Admittedly, five haven’t played a professional match this year, and have an 0-0 record…
- Novak Djokovic (0-0)
- Carlos Alcaraz (0-0)
- Jannik Sinner (0-0)
- Bianca Andreescu (0-0)
- Victoria Azarenka (0-0)
The remaining five have made winning starts in the build-up to the Australian Open
- Daniil Medvedev (2-0) – Brisbane International
- Aryna Sabalenka (2-0) – Brisbane International
- Madison Keys (2-0) – Brisbane International
- Elena Rybakina (2-0) – Brisbane International
- Iga Swiatek (2-0) – United Cup
Only time will tell how long they will remain unbeaten for…
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