Tennis Wildcards Awarded | tennisnet.com

The organizers of the Australian Open awarded the next wildcards shortly before Christmas. Still have to tremble Nick Kyrgios.

Shortly before Christmas, four local heroes received what was probably their best present from the organizers of the Australian Open. Rinky Hijikata for the men and Priscilla Hon, Talia Gibson and Taylah Preston for the women will serve directly in the main draw at the first Grand Slam tournament of the year thanks to wildcards.

Hijikata, who reached the final at Wimbledon alongside the Dutchman David Pel last season, is in the main competition of the Australian Open for the fourth time. “There is nothing better than playing in a Grand Slam tournament in your own country. Some of my fondest memories come from Melbourne,” explained the 24-year-old.

What happens to Kyrgios?

Hon, Gibson and Preston made similar statements in the wake of the wildcard announcement. This means there are now eight local heroes in the main field for both men and women. None of them is Nick Kyrgios, who needs a wildcard to start in Melbourne.

In the men’s category, the organizers can still award three of them, as James Duckworth, Bu Yunchaokete, Patrick Kypson and Kyrian Jacquet had already received wildcards before Hijikata. For women, only one of the eight wildcard spots is free: In addition to Hon, Gibson and Preston, Emerson Jones, Zarina Diyas, Elizabeth Mandlik and Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah can plan to start in the main field.

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