West Aussies Storm Hunter and Taylah Preston will both compete in the main draw of the Australian Open starting Sunday.
Storm Hunter qualified for the main draw after defeating Czech teen Dominika Salkova.
The 29-year-old achieved a rare feat at Melbourne Park today, becoming the first reigning world No.1 in doubles to complete a successful Grand Slam qualifying singles campaign in 18 years.
“That sounds pretty cool,” Hunter said when told of her accomplishment.
“I’ve been in a lot of big moments on the doubles court and beaten a lot of good players, so I’m trying to use that experience in my singles and believe in myself.”
Her growing confidence was evident as she held off Czech teen Dominika Salkova to secure her place in the Australian Open 2024 main draw.
“Oh my gosh, I literally have no words,” Hunter beamed after sealing a hard-fought 3-6 6-3 6-4 victory.
“I was shaking in the last two games. She’s a quality player, she’s so aggressive and took time away from me, which was a little bit hard for me, because I usually like to be the aggressive one.”
Hunter, currently ranked No.179 in singles, finished the match with 30 winners to her opponent’s 29.
“I’m just so happy, I can’t believe that I’ve qualified at my home Slam,” said Hunter, whose five previous main-draw appearances have been as a wildcard.
“I’ve qualified at the French and Wimbledon, but to do it here in Australia, which I think is the hardest one for us Australians to do, it’s amazing.”
History proves it is difficult for Australians to qualify at their home Grand Slam, with Hunter becoming only the third woman to achieve the feat in Melbourne Park’s 36-year history.
The only others to do so have been Kerry-Anne Guse (in 2000) and Astra Sharma (in 2019).
Hunter had extra motivation to qualify too, with her Perth-based parents arriving in Melbourne on Sunday.
Her mother, Genene, is yet to see her play singles at an Australian Open.
“It’s going to be really special to have them here,” Hunter said.
“I’m glad they’ll get to watch me in singles, doubles and mixed, which is pretty cool.”
Storm Hunter will play Italian Sara Errani.
Taylah Preston was awarded a main-draw singles wildcards for Australian Open 2024 on the back of a strong 2023 season.
Preston, a rising 18-year-old from Perth, will make her Grand Slam main-draw debut at Melbourne Park this summer.
The powerful ball-striker is currently ranked a career-high world No.202, having soared more than 600 positions in the past eight months.
“I’ve dreamed of playing the Australian Open since I first started playing tennis so to be given this opportunity is amazing and I am extremely grateful and excited,” said Preston, a winner of four ITF singles titles in 2023.
“I’m working hard on and off the court to prepare and I can’t wait to get out on court and play.”
Preston will play 19th seed Elina Svitolina.
Fellow West Australian Maddison Inglis was one step away from qualifying unfortunately going down in the final round of the women’s qualifying singles in an enthralling three-set battle against Daria Snigur. Inglis fought back after dropping the 1st set but couldn’t finish it off 6-2, 5-7, 6-3.
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