Australian Open 2026 Preview. Qualifying Watch List, Storylines, and Who’s Peaking Early

Qualifying is here, so we’re jumping in early with a full Australian Open preview featuring Lucy Deuce (Black Spin Global). We answer a Ground Pass Hotline question about watching player practices at tournaments, share a listener voice memo from the United Cup in Sydney, and break down the first week of the season across Brisbane, Auckland, Hong Kong, and the United Cup. Plus: who looks ready for a deep run, who might need more reps, the WTA next wave showing up fast, what makes Grand Slam qualifying so brutal, and the names we’re watching this week as the main draw gets close.

Links:

• Lucy Deuce on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucyydeuce?igsh=MWM2MGVrZDhsbjd1cA== || Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lucy.deuce?_r=1&_t=ZP-9315gur7Ev0
• Brad Stine Interview - https://youtu.be/tcodbF-e3EY?si=-drGONmLmLyMsvs4
• Sincaraz from the plane - https://x.com/skysports/status/2010721025051209946?s=46&t=34KFRaMxpc-93mq_1EOI7A
• Prime france show - https://youtu.be/m8MMXHsO34o?si=36YJQJsvtFMi5UaX

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

03:35 Groundpass Hotline: Viewer Questions

11:19 A Voice Note from the United Cup

15:57 Week 1 of the 2026 Season - United Cup, Brisbane & Auckland

23:31 Who is looking good & who is not in week 1

33:28 The Storylines you might have missed in week 1

40:27 Australian Open Preview

47:08 A Tangent: The Role of Coaches in Tennis

52:42 Key Storylines for the Australian Open

57:55 A Sincaraz Tangent 

01:03:30 Understanding the Qualifying Rounds

01:05:43 Spotlight on Qualifying Players

01:16:26 How to Watch the Australian Open

01:19:30 Upcoming Tournaments and Player Highlights

01:23:35 Player of the Fortnight

01:30:03 Outro

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Em