Six Australians gamers have been awarded coveted main-draw singles wildcards for Australian Open 2024.

Kimberly Birrell, Olivia Gadecki and Taylah Preston will compete within the ladies’s singles competitors, with James Duckworth, Marc Polmans and Adam Walton receiving wildcards into the lads’s singles draw.

Former world No.1 and Australian Open 2018 champion Caroline Wozniacki has additionally been handed a wildcard. The Danish star not too long ago returned to the tour after having two kids.

After recovering from a career-threatening elbow damage, Birrell made a heart-warming top-100 debut in 2023.

The 25-year-old from the Gold Coast is now excited to return to a match that has delivered her loads of success.

Birrell made a career-best third-round run at AO 2019, then upset world No.29 Kaia Kanepi at AO 2023 to file her first Grand Slam main-draw win in 4 years.

“It’s an enormous honour to obtain a main-draw wildcard,” mentioned Birrell, who is about to make her fifth main-draw look at Melbourne Park.

“There’s no higher feeling as an Australian than taking part in at Melbourne Park at our house Grand Slam. I’m so grateful for the chance and hope I could make everybody proud through the summer time of tennis.”

Gadecki was a breakout star at AO 2023, scoring her first Grand Slam main-draw singles victory on debut.

The 21-year-old additionally certified on the US Open throughout 2023, contested six ITF finals and at present sits at a career-high rating of world No.127.

“So grateful for the chance that Tennis Australia has given me,” mentioned the Gold Coast expertise. “I can’t wait to kick begin the 12 months taking part in in entrance of a house crowd.”

Preston, a rising 18-year-old from Perth, will make her Grand Slam main-draw debut at Melbourne Park this summer time.

The highly effective ball-striker is at present ranked a career-high world No.202, having soared greater than 600 positions prior to now eight months.

“I’ve dreamed of taking part in the Australian Open since I first began taking part in tennis so to be given this chance is wonderful and I’m extraordinarily grateful and excited,” mentioned Preston, a winner of 4 ITF singles titles in 2023.

“I’m working arduous on and off the courtroom to organize and I can’t wait to get out on courtroom and play.”

Walton, a 24-year-old from Brisbane, can also be set to make his Grand Slam main-draw debut.

The US faculty graduate broke into the world’s high 200 in his first full season on tour, peaking at No.174 in October.

Polmans has been rewarded for his promising progress in 2023, which noticed him halve his rating after coming back from ankle surgical procedure.

“After being off the tour for many of 2022, I’ve pushed actually arduous to get again on monitor in 2023,” Polmans mentioned.

“This wildcard into the Aus Open is the proper begin for 2024. Thanks Tennis Australia for the chance and I intend to take full benefit of it.”

Duckworth rose to a career-high world No.46 in early 2022, earlier than hip surgical procedure stalled his progress.

The 31-year-old completed the 2023 season strongly, profitable back-to-back ATP Challenger titles for the primary time in his profession to verge on a top-100 return.

“I’m very excited to be again taking part in the Australian Open once more,” mentioned the world No.116, who will likely be making his eleventh main-draw look at Melbourne Park.

“It’s my favorite match of the 12 months. I’ve so many nice reminiscences taking part in in Melbourne. I felt like I used to be beginning to acquire some momentum in the direction of the top of the 12 months, and I’m wanting ahead to constructing on that for the Australian summer time.”

The remaining wildcard recipients will likely be introduced forward of the match, which runs from 14 – 28 January.