WOWOW, which will broadcast the Australian Open tennis tournament live from January 18, 2026 in Australia, has announced that it will also broadcast the qualifying rounds from January 12 to 15. This will be the first time WOWOW has broadcast a Grand Slam qualifying tournament in about eight and a half years, since the 2017 Wimbledon Championships.
Eight Japanese players are scheduled to compete in the Australian Open qualifying rounds, aiming to reach the main draw. The men's team includes Kei Nishikori, who is battling injury but is aiming to make a comeback in the new season, Yoshihito Nishioka, who reached the Australian Open round of 16 in 2023 and is ranked 110th in the world, and 19-year-old Rei Sakamoto, who has previously won the Australian Open Junior Championship, as well as Masaru Shimabukuro and Yosuke Watanuki. The women's team includes Himeno Sakazume, Nao Hibino, and Ena Shibahara.
Nishikori commented, "It feels a bit strange as I haven't played in a Grand Slam qualifying tournament (since the US Open in 2010). First of all, I want to play as many matches as possible. The most important thing is to win as many matches as possible and gain confidence. It's been a while since my last Grand Slam, and the Australian Open is a place I like and the weather is great, so I want to play well. When I'm on a big stage, there's a chance that my switch will suddenly flip on, so I'd like to take a chance on that."
WOWOW will be broadcasting mainly matches featuring Japanese players. Additionally, the official WOWOW YouTube channel will be streaming highlights and the latest information from the local studio. WOWOW tennis ambassadors Kimiko Date, Shuzo Matsuoka, and Takao Suzuki will be sharing highlights of the matches and information unique to the local area.
