The 20-year-old, a former top-10 junior, will be making the third Grand Slam main-draw appearance after competing at the Australian and US Opens in 2024.

“I’m extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to play main draw in Melbourne again,” Preston said. “It means so much and I can’t wait to get out there and compete.”  

Gibson, meanwhile, enjoyed a late-season high when she was selected in the Australian Billie Jean King Cup team for the first time, as part of Australia’s Play-off campaign in Hobart.

The following week, she travelled to Sydney and won the Australian Pro Tour title there, one of three ITF titles she won in 2025 at W50 level or above.

The West Australian also won her first Grand Slam main-draw match at AO 2025, qualified for Wimbledon, reached the second round of the WTA Cleveland tournament, and scored several impressive results at WTA 125 level.

“I’m extremely thrilled to receive a main draw wildcard into the Australian Open and am very grateful to Tennis Australia for giving me this wonderful opportunity,” said Gibson, who peaked at world No.105 in August.

“I had the best experience winning my first main-draw match at AO at the start of this year so I can’t wait to experience the home crowd’s amazing atmosphere again in January.”  

Main-draw wildcards have also been awarded to French players Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah and Kyrian Jacquet, as announced by the French Tennis Federation.

Rakotomanga Rajaonah, 20, recently broke through for her first WTA title in Sao Paulo and is nearing the top 100 after beginning 2025 outside the top 350. Jacquet, meanwhile, reached his first ATP-level quarterfinal in Metz last month, shortly before hitting a career-high ranking of 137th.

More wildcards will be announced ahead of the Australian Open 2026 main draw, beginning 18 January.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2026 MAIN-DRAW WILDCARDS

MEN

WOMEN

James Duckworth (AUS) 

Emerson Jones (AUS)

Bu Yunchaokete (CHN) 

Zarina Diyas (KAZ)

Patrick Kypson (USA)

Elizabeth Mandlik (USA)

Kyrian Jacquet (FRA)

Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah (FRA)

Rinky Hijikata (AUS)

Priscilla Hon (AUS)

TBA

Talia Gibson (AUS)

TBA

Taylah Preston (AUS)

TBA

TBA