Some of Australia’s most promising young talents are set to contest the Australian Open 2023 men’s and women’s qualifying singles competition.
Adam Walton, at age 23, is the oldest recipient of an AO 2023 men’s qualifying singles wildcard. The US college graduate turned professional last season and skyrocketed up the rankings after winning three ITF titles.
Dane Sweeny, a 21-year-old from Queensland, claimed six ITF singles title during a breakout 2022 season that saw him break into the world’s top 250.
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Teenage talents Philip Sekulic and Edward Winter showed their promise at last year’s Australian Open, winning their first Grand Slam-level matches in qualifying. Both went on to achieve new career-high rankings during 2022.
Tristan Schoolkate, James McCabe and Derek Pham have also received wildcards, along with Jeremy Jin. The 18-year-old Jin competed in all four junior Grand Slam tournaments in 2022 and will make his major debut.
American teen Bruno Kuzuhara, the reigning Australian Open boys’ singles champion, has also been awarded a men’s qualifying singles wildcard.
Astra Sharma, Destanee Aiava and Ellen Perez, who have all represented Australia in the Billie Jean King Cup, headline the women’s qualifying singles wildcard recipients.
Sharma achieved a career-high singles ranking of No.84 last season and is hoping to earn a fifth consecutive main-draw appearance at her home Grand Slam.
Petra Hule is another recent US college graduate making giant inroads on the tour. The 23-year-old from South Australia posted consistent results on the Australian Pro Tour last year, helping her break into the world’s top 500.
Aiava and Lizette Cabrera, both former top 150 players, have been rewarded for their recent success too on the Australian Pro Tour.
Australian Open 2023 wildcards
| MEN | WOMEN |
| Dane Sweeny (Qld) | Astra Sharma (WA) |
| Tristan Schoolkate (WA) | Lizette Cabrera (Qld) |
| James McCabe (NSW) | Alexandra Bozovic (NSW) |
| Adam Walton (Qld) | Destanee Aiava (Vic) |
| Philip Sekulic (Qld) | Ellen Perez (NSW) |
| Bruno Kuzuhara (USA) | Seone Mendez (NSW) |
| Edward Winter (SA) | Petra Hule (SA) |
| Jeremy Jin (NSW) | Kaylah McPhee (Qld) |
| Derek Pham (WA) | Elysia Bolton (NSW) |
A total of 29 Australian players (15 men and 14 women) will feature in AO 2023 qualifying, which runs from 9-12 January at Melbourne Park.
Tickets are now on sale to be part of the action.