Maddison Inglis was still shocked hours after learning she’d been given a walkover into the last 16 of the Australian Open.
The West Aussie, who last week qualified for her first slam main draw in four years, is through to the fourth round after Naomi Osaka withdrew from their third round meeting with an abdominal injury.
UFC 325: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 | SUN 1 FEB 1PM AEDT | For the first time in his storied career, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will defend his championship in his home city of Sydney, in a rematch with Brazil’s Diego Lopes. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Inglis will now face world No.2 Iga Swiatek with a place in the Australian Open quarter-finals on the line.
This century the only Aussie women to make the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park are Ash Barty (2019-22), Jelena Dokic (2009) and Alicia Molik (2005).
The only qualifiers to make the quarter-finals of the Australian Open this century are Dayana Yastremska (2024) and Zhang Shuai (2016).
Stan the man with a can plan! | 00:28
Inglis explained she didn’t get to speak with Osaka, having been told the Japanese star would withdraw during the first match on centre court.
“I was just prepping today like I normally would, super excited to play on Rod Laver,” she said on Nine.
“I didn’t notice anything (during the pre-match practice) so I absolutely thought we were going to play after Novak (Djokovic’s match), but then I was told maybe a set into the match that she’s had an injury.
“Super unfortunate for her – I’m still a little bit in shock. Hopefully she recovers quickly, but super excited as well.”
Sinner survives scare against Spizzirri | 01:35
A decade after her Australian Open debut, and after 15 failed attempts through grand slam qualifying, Inglis has now progressed further in this tournament than in every previous slam appearance combined.
It’s quite remarkable given she faced a match point in the opening round of qualifying.
“I definitely could’ve been out of here 10 days ago. Tennis is pretty crazy like that,” Inglis explained.
“Now I’ve had the best result I’ve ever had so I’m just enjoying it.”
Inglis made the third round in 2022, upsetting then-reigning US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, losing in three sets to Kaia Kanepi.
Currently ranked No.168 in the world, making the fourth round has Inglis up to No.113 on the live WTA rankings, one off her career high set almost six years ago.
Another win would catapult her to around No.80, which should guarantee her place in the main draws of slams throughout 2026.
Not bad for the West Aussie who, just a couple of months ago, earned $878 for losing in the second round of an event in Brisbane.
“I haven’t been able to crack the top hundred yet. I had some really good results last year. But you do, you know, have those doubts (about your future) naturally,” Inglis said after her second round win.
“But seeing the tennis I’ve played this week, and the way I can kind of compose myself in those big moments, is really cool. I’m really proud of that. I’ll take it into the rest of the year.”
She’s set to earn at least $480,000 for her performance at this Australian Open.
“That money is life-changing. When I saw it was $40,000 for the first round of qualifying, I was like woah, that’s amazing!” Inglis said.
Discussion about this post