Alexander Blockx during first-round qualifying at the Australian Open, Melbourne Park, in January 2025. Photo: Tennis Australia/Mark Petersen.
Before the 2026 ATP Challenger 125 tournament at the Canberra Tennis Centre, Belgium’s Alexander Blockx struggled to make an impact in the Workday Canberra International.
In his previous two visits to Canberra, the 20-year-old former top-10 junior hadn’t won a match, suffering eliminations in the opening round in 2024 and 2025.
His progress over the past 12 months, though, has been significant, as demonstrated by his 6-4, 6-4 straight-sets victory over fellow Next Gen star, Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar, in the final of the ATP Challenger 125 tournament.
Nineteen-year-old Jodar, for his part, had to come through qualifying, winning six matches in a row before making the final. Jodar only turned professional on New Year’s Day.
The victory elevated Blockx into the world top 100 for the first time, with his ranking now sitting at 95 after picking up 125 ranking points.
In the women’s singles final, Taiwan’s No. 1-ranked player Joanna Garland accounted for Polina Kudermetova 6-4, 6-2 in the decider.
Garland, now ranked 117 in the world, headed to Melbourne for the first round of qualifying for the Australian Open, where she went down to Anhelina Kahlinina in straight sets.
One of the highlights beyond the tournament itself was the Australian Open 1 Point Slam, with Yanping Yu securing the final ACT place for a chance to win the $1 million prize at Melbourne Park.
Yanping joins Ashleigh Simes, who earned direct entry to the main draw after winning the ACT State Championships.
Some 12,000 fans turned out to watch the tournament through the week.
Tournament director Lawrence Robertson said the event had cemented its place on the Canberra sporting calendar.
Workday Canberra tournament director Lawrence Robertson (left) with Tennis ACT CEO Mark La Brooy. Photo: Tim Gavel.
“We have once again seen the event underpin its position as Canberra’s premier summer sporting event and we continue to uncover the next generation of superstars on both the men’s and women’s tours,” he said.
Another key aspect contributing to the success of the tournament has been the buy-in from the community, with volunteers playing a crucial role.
Tennis ACT CEO Mark La Brooy said the aim was to make the tournament as family-friendly as possible.
“What we’ve witnessed this week is tennis at its best: energetic, inclusive and inspiring. It’s been wonderful to also welcome the GLTA Canberra Clay Classic on site through the week, as well as see families and fans of all ages come together to enjoy both tournaments.”
