It has been a long road back to playing at Melbourne Park for Storm Hunter, with Australian Open 2026 qualifying marking the first time since rupturing her Achilles in April 2024 that Hunter has competed at the venue.
Countless hours spent hitting balls on a scooter at the National Tennis Centre throughout her rehabilitation with coach Rohan Fisher and husband, Loughlin, have prepared the 31-year-old for this moment. Visualising a return to the court as she rehabbed at the same venue only willed her on even more.
“In 2024, when I made the third round after qualifying was unbelievable. It was a dream come true for me, and then after my Achilles, I would come and hit with [my foot] on a scooter … just hitting on these courts and being like ‘OK, the goal is to get back out here moving, playing in front of crowds,” Hunter said.
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“I had a few tears during those moments just not knowing [whether I would return], that’s why yesterday was so emotional, just to come back and be like, ‘OK, it’s the next chapter and that was really special. It didn’t matter for me whether it was qualies or main draw, just to be out on the courts again’.”
After a 6-4 7-6(1) victory over No.27 seed Lola Radivojevic on Wednesday, Hunter now stands one win away from making her main-draw return.
Joining her in the final round was countrywoman Maddison Inglis, while in the men's draw, Jason Kubler and Dane Sweeny took a step closer to the main draw with straight-sets wins on Wednesday.
While Hunter was yet to comprehend the magnitude post-match, a double fist pump from Nicole Pratt mid-interview told the story.
“Pratty’s been in my corner since I was 16, 17,” she said of Australia's Billie Jean King Cup team coach, who was in Hunter's courtside box at KIA Arena against Radivojevic.
“She’s the one who believed in me from the start when I was on the courts in WA on my own. She was the one that was like, ‘I believe in you’, and I’m very lucky that she’s so passionate.
“She’s put a lot of work into me, even when I started playing singles last year and I was playing, it was terrible. I was crying mid-matches and she just kept me on the straight and narrow, and was like, ‘we’re gonna get there’. Days like this make it worth it for her as well as me.”
Hunter meets Taylor Townsend in her final-round match on Thursday, as the Australian aims to qualify for her seventh AO singles campaign.
Pratt’s support also helped Inglis progress to the final round of qualifying. With Pratt and Australian BJK Cup team captain Sam Stosur watching courtside, Inglis came from a break down to defeat American Claire Liu 7-6(6) 2-6 6-4 on her 28th birthday.
“It was a pretty good birthday present. Probably couldn’t ask for my birthday to go any better,” she said. “To have their support is really special. I think Pratty came from Storm’s match after she had finished so it was perfect timing.
“I love having Pratty on the side. She’s been there for a few really good wins, and she always has great things to say, so to have everyone there was super special.”
After two heartbreaking exits in Australian Open qualifying, Inglis hopes to return to main-draw competition at Melbourne Park for the first time since 2022.
“Those matches have hurt for a while,” said Inglis, who has lost in the final round of AO qualifying in back-to-back years. “It’s my favourite tournament, it’s a dream to be back in the main draw, so I’ll definitely give it my all tomorrow."
Meanwhile, world No.182 Dane Sweeny continued his pilgrimage through AO qualifying, advancing to the third round after defeating Jerome Kym 6-4 6-4.
World No.192 and fellow Aussie Kubler also won in straight sets against Lithuania world No.129 Vilius Gaubas.
Helped by a commanding serve that resulted in nine aces across the match, Kubler was able to secure his victory in just shy of two hours. He will move on to face world No.95 Alexander Blockx, while Sweeny will confront Italian player Stefano Travaglia in the final battle to reach the main draw.
The roar of the crowd, as Sweeny converted match point, was deafening to the point it could be heard halfway across Melbourne Park from ANZ Arena.
When asked whether he personally knew any of the raucous crowd, Sweeny joked with a laugh: “Heaps of friends and family, [I] had to ask [AO Tournament Director] Craig [Tiley] for extra accreditation.
“I just felt super grateful to be able to compete in front of that crowd, win or lose. It obviously feels better to get the win, but it’s just an honour to play in front of the crowd and that's what keeps me going. That's what motivates me a lot.”
This is the first time Sweeny and Kym had gone head-to-head – and there are always challenges that come with facing an unknown competitor – but this did little to deter the Aussie, who felt his game has improved as he’s progressed through qualifying.
“[My game] was good,” said Sweeny. “Definitely a step up from my first round, [I am] playing with a lot more courage and conviction. First round [I] was a little bit hesitant and that was the main goal today, win or lose was to play on my terms. And I think I did a really good job.
“I played very tactically smart and he had the firepower, but I think I just kind of swindled in with his skills.”