Eight homegrown players and one three-time major champion have earned the call up to the Australian Open main draw as the first round of wildcards are revealed.
The power of four rising Aussie stars has been injected into the women’s draw including the strength of Daria Saville and Ajla Tomljanovic.
Olivia Gadecki was the only Australian woman to gain direct entry into the home grand slam but will now be joined by the experienced duo and breakout teen Maya Joint.
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Joint will look to continue her incredible form next month, having risen from 648 in the rankings to the cusp of the top 100 in a matter of months this season.
The 18-year-old won more than 60 matches this season, reaching four finals and leaving two of those as the new title holder.
“It means the world to me to play in the Australian Open main draw for the first time,” Joint said about her tournament entry.
“A massive thank you to Tennis Australia for making this dream come true.
“I can’t wait to play my home Slam, and it is extra special for me as my family is from Melbourne. I am so excited to have this opportunity to play in front of them.”
Emerson Jones and Talia Gibson have earned wildcards in the women’s competition.
Swiss star Stan Wawrinka headlines the wildcard list for the men’s competition, preparing to return to the venue he achieved his first grand slam victory in 2014.
The 39-year-old has struggled to advance far in the tournament since his grand slam victory due to a horror run with injuries, having yet to advance past the quarter finals at any major event since the 2020 Australian Open.
Wawrinka bowed out in the first round of the tournament earlier this year, falling 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-0.
The former world No.3 now sits 161st overall in the rankings.
He expressed his gratitude be named among the rising Australian stars as a recipient of the tournament’s wildcard.
“I’m incredibly grateful to receive a wildcard into the Australian Open in 2025,” Wawrinka said.
“Melbourne holds such a special place in my heart – it’s where I won my first grand slam and is one of the greatest milestones of my career.
“The city, the people, the loud fans and the electric atmosphere make the Australian Open so special to me and I’m really looking forward to getting back on the court in Melbourne.”
Local talent Tristan Schoolkate, Li Tu and James McCabe will join Wawrinka in the men’s main draw as well as China’s Zhang Shuai and Thailand’s Kasidit.
The action of the Australian Open will begin January 12, 2025.