Indian tennis will have a notable presence in the men’s doubles draw at the 2026 Australian Open, with two pairs representing the country under very different circumstances.
From a Grand Slam debut for an Indo-Thai wildcard duo to a seeded Indian pair navigating a tricky opening-round test, the draw presents both opportunity and challenge for India’s doubles contingent in Melbourne. For Niki Poonacha, the Australian Open marks a significant milestone in his career. The Indian doubles specialist, partnering Thailand’s Pruchya Isaro, will make his Grand Slam debut after the pair received a coveted wildcard into the main draw.
Their reward is an opening-round clash against the Spanish duo of Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar, a pairing better known for their singles credentials but capable of posing a serious threat on hard courts.
Poonacha and Isaro earned their place in the draw through an impressive run at the Australian Open Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoffs held in Chengdu, China. Competing against some of the strongest doubles teams from the region, the Indo-Thai combination showed composure under pressure, tactical clarity, and strong chemistry to secure the wildcard. For players operating largely outside the ATP Tour spotlight, the playoffs offered a rare and invaluable pathway into a Grand Slam.
The match against the Spanish pair will be a test of adaptability and belief. Martinez and Munar bring heavy baseline games and strong return abilities, attributes that can neutralise aggressive net play if given time. For Poonacha and Isaro, success will likely hinge on serving efficiency, quick reflexes at the net, and the ability to shorten points. While they enter the contest as underdogs, the freedom of a debut appearance and the confidence gained from their wildcard playoff run could work in their favour.
At the other end of the spectrum lies the experienced pairing of Rohan Bopanna’s former partner Yuki Bhambri and Sweden’s Andre Goransson, who enter the tournament as 10th seeds. Their opening-round encounter, however, is far from straightforward. They face Australian wildcard entrants James Duckworth and Cruz Hewitt, a duo that will enjoy full home support on the Melbourne Park courts.
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Playing against Australian wildcards at the Australian Open is rarely comfortable, regardless of rankings. Duckworth, a seasoned professional with strong familiarity with local conditions, adds experience and reliability to the pair. Alongside him is 17-year-old Cruz Hewitt, a name that immediately draws attention. As the son of former world number one and Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt, Cruz has grown up around the sport’s biggest stages and has already begun carving his own path.
Though still early in his professional journey, Cruz Hewitt has been making steady progress on both the ITF junior circuit and the pro tour. His inclusion in the doubles draw alongside Duckworth is part of Tennis Australia’s broader effort to expose young talents to high-pressure environments. For Bhambri and Goransson, the challenge will be as much psychological as technical, with a vocal crowd likely to rally behind the home pairing and amplify momentum shifts.
Bhambri’s return to the Australian Open doubles draw as a seeded player reflects his steady resurgence as a doubles specialist. Over the past two seasons, he has rebuilt his ranking through consistent performances on the ATP Tour, developing a reputation for solid baseline play combined with improving net instincts. Goransson, meanwhile, brings a calm presence and strong doubles fundamentals, making the Indo-Swedish pairing a well-balanced unit.
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Despite their seeding, the opening round offers little margin for error. Early rounds in Grand Slams often blur ranking gaps, particularly in doubles, where chemistry, communication, and handling key points matter more than sustained dominance. Bhambri and Goransson will need to assert control early, manage the crowd, and avoid letting the Australians feed off energy and emotion.
For Indian tennis, the men’s doubles draw at the 2026 Australian Open reflects both depth and diversity. On one hand, Poonacha’s debut highlights the importance of regional pathways and wildcard opportunities in expanding India’s presence at the Grand Slam level. On the other, Bhambri’s seeded status underscores the value of persistence and reinvention in a career increasingly shaped by doubles success.
As the tournament gets underway, expectations will be measured. A win for either pair would be a significant boost, but even competitive performances will offer valuable lessons.
Whether it is a debutant stepping onto the Grand Slam stage for the first time or an established pair negotiating the hazards of a hostile opening round, India’s doubles players will once again look to make their mark under the bright lights of Melbourne.
