Sunday, February 1, 2026

The 2026 Australian Open: Promotions, Demotions, and Other Stats

2026 Australian Open Champions:
  • Carlos Alcaraz (Yokozuna)
  • Elena Rybakina (ex-Ozeki)

New Career Sanyaku Rank:
  • none

Sanyaku Rank Changes
Player (career rank if different) To From
Promotions
Alexander Zverev Ozeki Sekiwake
Jessica PegulaSekiwake Komusubi
Alex de MinaurKomusubi Maegashira
Ben SheltonKomusubi Maegashira
Elina Svitolina (ex-Sekiwake)Komusubi Maegashira
Demotions
Taylor FritzKomusubi Sekiwake
Madison Keys (ex-Ozeki)Komusubi Sekiwake
Felix Auger-AliassimeMaegashira Komusubi


Kinboshi:
("gold star" - prize awarded to a non-sanyaku ranked competitor for beating an active Yokozuna)
  • Two kinboshi for Elena Rybakina, for beating Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals and Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

Other noteworthy developments:

  • Elena Rybakina regained her former Ozkei (=Champion) rank by winning the second second grand slam tournament of her career - the first was the Wimbledon title in 2022.
  • Alexander Zverev and Cori Gauff were Sekiwake-Ozeki, having been demoted from Ozeki after the 2025 US Open. A semifinal in Australia was needed for immediate re-promotion - Zverev succeeded, but Gauff fell one win short.

No comments: