John Millman and Arina Rodionova news leaves tennis fans fuming ahead of Aus Open

The Australian Open's decision not to hand the retiring John Millman and in-form Arina Rodionova a wildcard into the Australian Open has fans fuming at the tournament. On Friday, Aussie tennis fans were left surprised when Australia's No.1 women's tennis player Rodionova was not granted a wildcard into the tournament.

Rodionova was ranked as low as World No.350 in February, but registered an impressive 78 victories from 104 matches in 2023. This saw her ranking climb to World No.112 at the end of 2023. She is still outside the main card entry, but many fans thought she would be handed a wildcard considering she will be the highest ranked Aussie player heading into the home grand slam.

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And Rodionova took to social media and attempted to dismiss the decision as a setback. "I wish I could say I am surprised. But honestly," she wrote. "The satisfaction of achieving it all absolutely on your own, despite all this stuff...it is worth it.

"I will see you guys at Australian Open qualies in couple of day and I am pumped for this." The decision not to grant Millman a wildcard will also see him have to qualify if he is to say farewell at the Australian Open. Millman announced this would be his final grand slam, but now appears to be in a battle to qualify. Millman first represented Australia at the Davis Cup in 2017 and has been a fan favourite for many years.

While Rodionova was dismissive of the decision, tennis fans were more poignant. Aussies were left gobsmacked Millman would need to qualify to say farewell at the Australian Open, while other felt Rodionova was deserving of a position on form.

Daria Saville set for Australian Open after injury comeback

Saville was handed the final wildcard spot as she continues her comeback from an ACL tear. In preparation for the Aussie Open, Saville bowed out in the second round of the Brisbane International to 11th seed Anastasia Potapova in three sets.

In the first round of wildcards, which consisted of seven spots, six Aussies were given a place in the tournament along with former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki. In total nine male and female players received direct entry into the main draw in the final round of wildcards on Friday, which included four reciprocal wildcards awarded to French and US players in exchange for Australians receiving wildcards to their respective grand slams in 2023.

Players to earn a spot by reciprocal wildcards were former Australian Open quarter-finalist Alize Cornet and exciting Chinese teenager Shang Juncheng. Reigning Australian Open doubles champion Jason Kubler also received a wildcard after he was ousted from the Brisbane International in the round of 16 by Rafael Nadal on Friday, as did Australian prospect James McCabe.

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