Shock names among Aus Open wildcards

Teenage sensation Maya Joint says it “means the world” to play in the Australian Open after being handed her first main draw berth as one of nine wildcards for the first grand slam of the year.

Joint, who was the highest ranked 18-year-old in the world after reaching the second round of the US Open in August, was on the initial list of wildcards which includes fellow Aussies Ajla Tomljanovic and Daria Saville as well as 39-year-old, three time major champion Stan Wawrinka.

There were nine handed out in total with Aussies Tristan Schoolkate (WA), Li Tu (SA), James McCabe (NSW), Tahlia Gibson (WA) and Emerson Jones (Qld) who, with Joint, was named co-winner of Tennis Australia’s young female athlete of the year this week.

There was no room for comeback kid Bernard Tomic who could yet contest qualifying with speculation Cruz Hewitt, the 16-year-old son of Australian legend Lleyton, could get a wildcard to have his chance.

Tomic, 32 has battled back to world no.214 which means he can get direct entry into the qualifying event, after Brisbane International officials also left door slightly ajar for Tomic to be given a wildcard for their qualifiers.

Joint, who was born in Melbourne but raised in the US, was one of the biggest rankings risers in 2024, leaping from 684 to the cusp of the top 100 during a season in which she won more than 60 matches and reached four finals, winning two.

“It means the world to me to play in the Australian Open main draw for the first time,” she said.

“A massive thank you to Tennis Australia for making this dream come true. I can’t wait to play my home Slam, and it is extra special for me as my family is from Melbourne. I am so excited to have this opportunity.”

Tomljanovic, a three-time grand slam quarterfinalist, is restoring her ranking after serious injury and is currently 109, having been 292nd to start the season having missed three months of competition after the Australian Open.

She did briefly get back into the top 100 after winning the WTA 125K title in Hong Kong.

Saville has continued to battle injuries but the former top-20 player who reached the AO fourth round in 2016 and 2017, ended the season on a high with the Gold Coast Australian Pro Tour title - her first singles trophy since 2017.

“I’m delighted to have another opportunity to compete in the main draw of the Australian Open,” Saville said.

“I’d like to thank Tennis Australia for their continued support and allowing me to compete in my home Slam. I am incredibly motivated and working hard to make my way back inside the top 100 and back to my career high ranking of 20. The Australian summer is my favourite time of the year playing at home and hopefully it sets the tone for a strong 2025 season.”

Wawrinka returns to the scene of his first grand slam triumph in 2014 which pre-empted major titles at Roland Garros in 2015 and the 2016 US Open.

The Swiss star has battled injuries in recent years, but did manage to progress to the quarterfinals in Melbourne in 2020.

“I’m incredibly grateful to receive a wildcard into the Australian Open in 2025,” Stan Wawrinka said. “Melbourne holds such a special place in my heart – it’s where I won my first Grand Slam and is one of the greatest milestones of my career.

“The city, the people, the loud fans and the electric atmosphere make the Australian Open so special to me and I’m really looking forward to getting back on the court in Melbourne.”