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Australian Open semi-finalist from 2019 has been handed wildcard for 2025 tournament

Australian Open semi-finalist from 2019 has been handed wildcard for 2025 tournament

The 2025 Australian Open is fast approaching, as fans prepare for another thrilling tournament down-under.

The first Grand Slam of the year is now just a month away, as the stars of the ATP and WTA Tour head to Melbourne.

The Australian Open never disappoints, as the tennis world enjoys thrilling action on a yearly basis.

This year’s tournament was no different as Jannik Sinner beat Daniil Medvedev in a five-set battle to take home his first Major title.

Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

He’ll be hoping to win the trophy once more in 2025 but will face some stiff opposition from ten-time champion Novak Djokovic, who lost to Sinner in the 2024 semi-finals.

Another former semi-finalist has just been awarded a wild card to the 2025 Australian Open, as he looks to repeat his past heroics at the tournament.

2019 semi-finalist Lucas Pouille awarded Australian Open wildcard

2019 Australian Open semi-finalist Lucas Pouille has been awarded a wildcard to compete at the tournament next month.

The world number 101 is currently the second alternate at the event, meaning that just two more withdrawals would see him qualify for the main draw automatically.

He received a wildcard thanks to his legendary run at the event back in 2019, when he made the last four as the 28th seed.

The Frenchman scored wins over Dominic Thiem, Borna Coric, and Milos Raonic on his way to the semi-finals where he came up against heavy favorite Djokovic.

It was there that his fairy tale run came to an abrupt end, as he was beaten 6-0, 6-2, 6-2.

Pouille enjoyed a strong year in 2019, before a wrist injury in Shanghai changed everything.

The Frenchman was out of action until 2021, where he struggled for form, eventually falling out of the world’s top 600 in 2023.

He has spoken openly about the mental health struggles he faced during this time.

“I started to have a darker side and go into a depression,” he said.

Pouille returned to form this year, however, as he battled past adversity to return to the cusp of the top 100.

He reached the third round of Wimbledon in 2024 and picked up a Challenger title in Austria as he recovered some of his past form.

Lucas Pouille of France plays a forehand against Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia in his Gentlemen's Singles second round match on day four of The C...
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

He’ll no doubt be hoping that he can continue his rise back to contention in Melbourne, and pick up a first win at the tournament since 2022.

Lucas Pouille’s wildcard could see retiring Richard Gasquet miss out on final Australian Open

Whilst Pouille’s wildcard was good news for one French star, it may not be quite so well received by another, as legendary 38-year-old Richard Gasquet could miss out on the tournament.

The Australian Open has a deal with the French and American tennis associations, awarding a player from both nations a wildcard to the tournament each year.

This year, the wildcard went to Pouille thanks to his efforts in 2019.

Gasquet is set to retire from tennis next year, following the conclusion of the French Open, meaning this would be the last chance for the Frenchman to compete in Melbourne.

Richard Gasquet of France celebrates winning the men's final of the Libema Open tennis tournament in Rosmalen, The Netherlands, on June 17, 2018. -...
Photo credit should read KOEN SUYK/AFP via Getty Images

The former world number seven has never reached the quarter-finals in Australia, but having played the event 17 times would surely love one last send-off.

Gasquet is now ranked 129th in the world, so would need to win three qualifying rounds to advance to the first round.

However, if two players ranked above Pouille were to withdraw from the event, he would qualify automatically, giving the organizers the opportunity to re-award the wildcard to Gasquet.

It remains to be seen whether Gasquet will have the chance to compete in Australia, but fans would no doubt appreciate the Frenchman taking to the court one more time.

The Australian Open featuring Lucas Pouille is set to begin on January 12.

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