{"id":20631,"date":"2025-12-18T13:28:36","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T02:28:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/act\/?p=20631"},"modified":"2025-12-19T10:47:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T23:47:07","slug":"kei-nishikori-david-goffin-destanee-aiava-and-future-stars-heading-to-canberra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/act\/news\/2025\/12\/18\/kei-nishikori-david-goffin-destanee-aiava-and-future-stars-heading-to-canberra","title":{"rendered":"Kei Nishikori, David Goffin, Destanee Aiava and future stars heading to Canberra"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Thursday 18 December 2025<\/em><\/p>\n

Former world No.4\u00a0Kei Nishikori<\/b>, former world No.7\u00a0David Goffin<\/b> and Australia\u2019s Destanee\u00a0Aiava<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Alex Bolt<\/b>\u00a0are\u00a0among the players set to feature at the\u00a0Workday Canberra International 2026<\/b>\u00a0from 4 to 10 January at the Canberra International Tennis Centre.<\/div>\n
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Known for showcasing many of the world\u2019s best alongside the next generation of global superstars, the combined ATP 125\u00a0and WTA 125 tournament will offer an increased total prize pool of AUD $700,000 in 2026.<\/div>\n
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Nishikori, a US Open finalist and\u00a0quarterfinalist at the other three majors who\u00a0holds 12 ATP singles titles, will compete in the qualifying draw when play begins from 2 January.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to starting my season in Canberra, a city I\u2019ve never\u00a0been to\u00a0before but very much looking forward to\u00a0visiting,\u201d\u00a0Nishikori said.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI have heard only great things about the event and with Fonseca winning last year, then I know it will be a strong field assembled for the event.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Goffin\u00a0<\/b>is the biggest name in the men\u2019s singles\u00a0main\u00a0draw.\u00a0A Grand Slam quarterfinalist at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon, he\u00a0will return to Canberra for the second time.<\/div>\n
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“I\u2019m delighted to be heading back to Australia\u2019s capital city for the\u00a0Canberra International,\u201d Goffin said.<\/div>\n
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\u201cI have fond memories from my last trip there in 2024 and I\u2019m looking forward to kicking off my 2026 season in such a great city.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Luca Nardi\u00a0<\/b>is the highest-ranked player in the ATP Challenger draw. The Italian notched a breakthrough win over world No.1 Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells in 2024 and has several ATP Challenger titles to his name.<\/div>\n
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Four of the eight players\u00a0in action at this week\u2019s ATP Next Gen Finals \u2013 Australian Open\u00a02023\u00a0junior champion\u00a0Alexander Blockx<\/b>,\u00a0Dino Prizmic<\/b>,\u00a0Nicolai Budkov Kjaer<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Justin Engel<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 will\u00a0also compete in the men\u2019s competition.<\/div>\n
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The WTA\u00a0125 event is headlined by\u00a0Swiss star\u00a0Simona Waltert<\/b>, who arrives\u00a0in Canberra in career best form. She is a WTA doubles title winner and was part of the Swiss team that won the Billie Jean King Cup in 2022.<\/div>\n
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Former top 50 Frenchwoman\u00a0Diane Parry\u00a0<\/b>also returns to Canberra, while Australian favourite\u00a0Destanee Aiava\u00a0<\/b>and\u00a0Alex Bolt\u00a0<\/b>will play in the main draw.<\/div>\n
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Tournament Director Lawrence Robertson<\/b>\u00a0is thrilled with\u00a0the\u00a0playing field for 2026.<\/div>\n
\u201cOnce again, the field that will assemble here in January really demonstrates exactly what the Workday Canberra International is all about,\u201d Robertson said.<\/div>\n
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\u201cCanberra will host some of the games established stars, while showcasing the game\u2019s next generation of superstars,\u00a0underpinning our position as Canberra\u2019s premier summer sporting event.<\/div>\n
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“The standout story last summer was Brazil\u2019s Joao Fonseca who arrived in Canberra fresh from winning the ATP Next Gen Finals and dominated the week without dropping a set. Fonseca now boasts a career-high ranking of 24. Following in his footsteps are four of the eight ATP Next Gen players, all aged under 20,\u00a0and we can expect the same explosive, high quality tennis from this group.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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\u201cThis is where the stars of tomorrow launch their careers, and we are lucky to witness it firsthand.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Tennis ACT CEO Mark La Brooy<\/b>\u00a0said, \u201cWe encourage locals and visitors alike to come down and experience world-class tennis up close and personal. Fans can enjoy a wide range of local food and beverages throughout the week, while the Fan Zone will be buzzing with activity, including Pop Tennis and free tennis experiences for all ages.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe popular\u00a0Kids Tennis Day<\/b>\u00a0will return on Thursday 8 January, following its hugely successful debut in 2025. And don\u2019t miss the\u00a01 Point Slam<\/b>\u00a0during the tournament’s semifinals day on Friday 9 January. The winner will earn automatic entry into the\u00a0AO\u2019s 1 Point Slam<\/b>\u00a0qualifying round in Melbourne with the ultimate chance to compete for $1 million.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The Workday Canberra International is expected to generate $2 million in economic impact to the ACT and surrounding region. The event would not be made possible without the support from local partners and businesses, including the ACT Government, Events ACT, Workday and many more. The event is also made possible by a dedicated ballkid squad and volunteer workforce.<\/div>\n
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Tickets start from $23 and\u00a0entry is free\u00a0for kids. For more details visit\u00a0<\/b>www.canberrainternational.com.au<\/a><\/u><\/b>.<\/b><\/div>\n
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WTA\u202f125\u00a0<\/b><\/div>\n
Simona\u202fWaltert\u202f\u2013 No. 86\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Moyuka\u202fUchijima\u202f\u2013 No. 94\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Polina\u202fKudermetova\u202f\u2013 No. 104\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Lucia\u202fBronzetti\u202f\u2013 No. 108\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Mayar Sherif \u2013 No. 109\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Madison Brengle \u2013 No. 115 SR\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Zhuoxuan\u202fBai \u2013 No. 122 SR\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Dianne Perry \u2013 No. 124\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Joanna Garland \u2013 No. 125\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Hanne\u202fVandewinkel\u202f\u2013 No. 126\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Tamara\u202fKorpatsch\u202f\u2013 No. 127\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Yue Yuan \u2013 No. 128\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Nikola\u202fBartunkova\u202f\u2013 No. 129\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Alina Korneeva \u2013 No. 129 SR\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Marina\u202fStakusic\u202f\u2013 No. 130\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Lanlana\u202fTararudee\u202f\u2013 No. 134\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Lucrezia Stefanini \u2013 No. 140\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Lola Radivojevic \u2013 No. 141\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Dominika\u202fSalkova\u202f\u2013 No. 146\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Darja\u202fVidmanova\u202f\u2013 No. 148\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
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ATP\u202f125\u00a0<\/b><\/div>\n
Luca Nardi \u2013 No. 87\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Vit Kopriva \u2013 No. 102\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Tomas Barrios Vera \u2013 No. 109\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Yoshihito\u202fNishioka\u202f\u2013 No. 111\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Brandon Holt \u2013 No. 113\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Alexander\u202fBlockx\u202f\u2013 No.\u202f116\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
David Goffin \u2013 No. 118\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Dusan Lajovic \u2013 No.\u202f119\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Nicolas Jarry \u2013 No. 121\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Dino\u202fPrizmic\u202f\u2013 No.\u202f122\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Nicolai\u202fBudkov\u202fKjaer \u2013 No. 132\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Roberto\u202fCarballes\u202fBaena \u2013 No. 133\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Sebastian Ofner \u2013 No.\u202f134\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Kyrian Jacquet \u2013 No. 137\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Lukas Klein \u2013 No. 140\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Ugo Blanchet \u2013 No. 142\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Colton Smith \u2013 No. 144\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Sho Shimabukuro \u2013 No. 145\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Mark Lajal \u2013 No. 146\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Matteo Gigante \u2013 No. 148\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Jaime Faria \u2013 No.\u202f149\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Daniel Elahi Galan \u2013 No. 150\u202f\u00a0<\/div>\n
Justin Engel \u2013 No. 195\u202f\u00a0<\/b><\/div>\n
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Workday Canberra International fast facts<\/b><\/div>\n