Return to Melbourne: The Australian Open Heralds the Height of Summer in the Southern Hemisphere

The new tennis season has officially begun, with the Australian Open reigniting the competition in Melbourne as scheduled. As the youngest Grand Slam event, the Australian Open’s vibrancy, energy, and passion deeply inspire players to chase their dreams and surpass themselves on the court. Competitors set off for this blazing arena, leaving their unique tennis marks with sunshine and sweat, composing the most splendid summer symphony in the seasonally reversed Southern Hemisphere.

Keys Returns to the Australian Open as the Defending Women’s Singles Champion (Photo: Visual China)

For Keys, Melbourne is both the breakthrough stage of her early fame and the hall of honor where dreams became reality. She first appeared in the women’s singles main draw at 17 in 2012, and in 2015, she reached the semifinals by defeating top players—earning the title “girl genius” closely tied to her early Australian Open success. After ten years of refinement, Keys etched her name into the Grand Slam champions list last year by consecutively defeating Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Sabalenka again, a vivid testament to her sustained elite status on the tour.

Keys (Photo: Visual China)

This year, Keys will return to Melbourne for the first time as a Grand Slam champion, embarking on a thrilling yet challenging title defense journey. Accompanying her is the “champion racquet” EZONE 98, a weapon known for its comfortable feel that maximizes her offensive power, enabling decisive shots. With the same fighting spirit and racquet, Keys shares the same goal—championship!

Rybakina (Photo: Visual China)

Former tournament runner-up Rybakina ended last season in top form, winning the WTA Finals and rising to world No. 5. She will start this year’s Australian Open as the fifth seed. Already a Grand Slam champion in 2023, Rybakina showed formidable momentum at the Australian Open, defeating many strong opponents to finish runner-up. Last year, she narrowly lost in three sets to Keys in the fourth round. Returning this year, she is determined to forge a new path. Rybakina’s powerful serve and consistent baseline game are further enhanced by the VCORE 100 racquet. Her impressive five consecutive wins at the WTA Finals have raised expectations for her performance in this year’s majors. She will compete wearing the YONEX Australian Open series outfit, paired with the new matching ECLIPSION5 model.

Paolini (Photo: Li Jianyi)

Paolini’s rise began at the Australian Open, where in 2024 she reached the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time in Melbourne, steadily progressing to become a Grand Slam finalist and securing a place in the top 10. The VCORE 100 has been a key tool in her career breakthrough, allowing her to control spin effectively and take initiative in fast-paced baseline rallies. Facing various playing styles, she consistently showcases her unique strengths to win matches. In the new season, she will wield the newly upgraded eighth-generation VCORE as she aims for even higher achievements.

Pegula (Photo: Visual China)

Pegula reached the Australian Open women’s singles quarterfinals three years in a row from 2021 to 2023, known for her consistency and ability to perform at her best in high-level events. Since upgrading to the latest generation EZONE 98 racquet last year, her baseline stability has further improved. With excellent skills and tactical execution, she holds a solid position among the top 10’s offensive players.

Naomi Osaka (Photo: Visual China)

Belinda Bencic (Photo: Visual China)

Two-time tournament champion Naomi Osaka has reclaimed her Grand Slam seed this year and will use the EZONE 98 racquet to embark on her 10th Australian Open main draw appearance, with past glories now embedded in her racquet to empower this champion. Additionally, the in-form Bencic, along with Townsend, Noskova, Navarro, and other top 20 players, will also compete at the Australian Open aiming for great results.

Shelton (Photo: Visual China)

Melbourne has always been one of Shelton’s lucky grounds. As a rookie on the tour in 2023, he reached the Australian Open quarterfinals, revealing the early potential of this American rising star. He did not disappoint expectations—last year he advanced to the semifinals, knocking on the top 10 door and winning a Masters title. On his journey of fulfilling his talent, the EZONE 98 racquet perfectly complements Shelton’s aggressive style. We anticipate more outstanding achievements from him in the 2026 season.

Paul (Photo: Visual China)

After a four-month injury hiatus, Paul returns to defend the points he earned by reaching the men’s singles quarterfinals last year in Melbourne. His best Grand Slam result so far is the 2023 Australian Open semifinal, a memorable experience that fuels his desire to excel again on the same court. Known for his distinctive playing style, Paul resembles a “hexagonal warrior,” and the VCORE 98 racquet perfectly matches his all-around game.

Fonseca (Photo: Visual China)

Brazilian rising star Fonseca made a stunning breakthrough at last year’s Australian Open, qualifying and then defeating the ninth seed Rublev in the first round. He went on to win titles in Buenos Aires and Basel during his first year on tour, showcasing the promise of a future star. He is definitely one of the most exciting newcomers to watch this season. Using the VCORE 98 racquet, Fonseca will compete as a seeded player in Melbourne for the first time, aiming to set a new personal best at the Australian Open.

Vachier-Lagrave (Photo: Li Jianyi)

Vachier-Lagrave, who enjoys immense popularity in China, will make his debut in the Australian Open main draw as the 30th seed. The Monaco player, who created a “dark horse champion” legend by winning the 2025 Shanghai Masters, is one of the most notable competitors in this tournament. This victory propelled his world ranking from outside the top 200 to the top 40 like a rocket and captivated countless Chinese fans with his stunning performance. For years, Vachier-Lagrave has trusted and used the VCORE 100 racquet, which perfectly suits his attacking style and serves as a powerful ally on court.

Belhachem (Photo: Visual China)

Emerging Belgian star Belhachem has become one of the most watched young talents in men’s tennis. At the season-opening United Cup, he posted an impressive 3-1 record to help Belgium reach the semifinals for the first time. His key victory over world No. 5 Aliassime in the group stage confirmed his top-level potential. Behind these breakthroughs is his “red flame”—the new eighth-generation VCORE racquet. Belhachem chooses the 98 square inch version, which provides precise control for his explosive shots. At the upcoming Australian Open, he will wear the YONEX Australian Open series apparel and debut the matching new ECLIPSION5 shoes as he aims to surpass his personal best Grand Slam performance.

Buyunchaokete (Photo: Visual China)

Buyunchaokete earned his spot in the Australian Open men’s singles main draw for the second consecutive year through his excellent performance in the Asia-Pacific wildcard competition. Although he has yet to claim his first Grand Slam singles main draw victory, he approaches each match steadily, closing in on success. This year, equipped with the new eighth-generation EZONE racquet, Buyunchaokete starts his season with renewed vigor. The EZONE 98 offers him greater precision and sharpness, enhancing his arsenal. With the Australian Open approaching, he faces a fresh opportunity to break through and achieve standout results in Melbourne.

Bai Zhuoxuan (Photo: Li Jianyi)

Bai Zhuoxuan successfully qualified for this year’s Australian Open main draw, marking her second appearance at the event. After a lengthy break during most of the 2025 season, she returned to competition at the end of the year. Although her world ranking has dropped, she is more determined than ever to challenge the world’s elite. This return to a Grand Slam main draw signals a powerful comeback. Bai’s PERCEPT 100 racquet, which perfectly matches her playing style, is helping her continue breaking through and striving for great achievements on the global tennis stage.

The 2026 Australian Open will officially begin its main draw on January 18, marking the first time the tournament will last 15 days in its history. The YONEX team is fully prepared and ready to compete fiercely on this hardcourt Grand Slam stage, aiming for remarkable results. With the big event imminent, let us hold our breath and witness the crowning of the champion together on the first day of February!