Australian Open 2024 wildcards: Caroline Wozniacki, nine Aussies confirmed for Melbourne Park

Joshua Mayne

Australian Open 2024 wildcards: Caroline Wozniacki, nine Aussies confirmed for Melbourne Park image

All 16 wildcard players have now been confirmed for the 2024 Australian Open. 

Caroline Wozniacki, a former champion at Melbourne Park, headlines the list, while nine Australian tennis players have been granted entry into the main draw.

MORE: Who are the highest ranked Australian tennis players?

Caroline Wozniacki awarded Australian Open 2024 wildcard

Wozniacki will make her return to Melbourne Park in 2024 almost four years after announcing her retirement.

The former world No. 1 stepped away from tennis in 2020 but returned to the sport in June this year.

She famously secured the only major title of her career in 2018 when she defeated Simon Halep in the Australian Open final.

Caroline Wozniacki - cropped

"I have so many wonderful memories of Melbourne, and of course winning the Australian Open is an all-time career highlight," Wozniacki said.

"Coming back to my favourite slam as a new mum — and bringing my two kids — will be a huge thrill. The whole family is so excited.

"I'm truly grateful to everyone for the wildcard and having the opportunity to compete again at the AO in January."

Daria Saville, Jason Kubler among Aussie wildcard recipients

Nine homegrown players have been revealed as wildcard recipients for the 2024 edition of the Australian Open.

Daria Saville, Kimberly Birrell, Olivia Gadecki, Taylah Preston, James Duckworth, Marc Polmans, Adam Walton, Jason Kubler and James McCabe will all feature in the main draw in January.

Saville missed last year's event through injury and has only recently returned to the pro circuit following a lengthy lay-off.

Birrell notably upset No. 31 seed Kaia Kanepi in the first round of the 2023 tournament and will be aiming to go one better this time around

It will also be a grand slam singles debut for 18-year-old Preston, while Gadecki will make just her second appearance. 

Getty

On the men's side, veteran Duckworth will feature in the main draw for the 11th time.

Reigning doubles champion Kubler has earned a singles wildcard as he looks to build on a career-best second round performance in 2023.

Polmans and Walton — both ranked outside the top 100 — will also be in action.

Alizé Cornet included in international wildcard contingent

Outside of Wozniacki, French veteran Cornet headlines the international wildcard recipients.

The 33-year-old has benefitted from a reciprocal arrangement between Tennis Australia and the French Tennis Federation, with Arthur Cazaux is the men's singles representative for the exchange.

#Alize Cornet

Patrick Kypson and McCartney Kessler are the US exchange wildcards, while Shang Juncheng and Mai Hontama will represent the Asia Pacific region.

Australian Open 2024: Every confirmed wildcard player

Men's singles

James Duckworth Marc Polmans
Adam Walton Jason Kubler
James McCabe Shang Juncheng
Patrick Kypson Arthur Cazaux

Women's singles

Caroline Wozniacki Olivia Gadecki
Kimberly Birrell Taylah Preston
Daria Saville Mai Hontama
McCartney Kessler Alizé Cornet

When is Australian Open 2024?

Australian Open 2024 will commence on Sunday, January 14 and become a 15-day event for the first time, finishing on Sunday, January 28.

Joshua Mayne

Joshua Mayne Photo

Joshua Mayne is a content producer for The Sporting News Australia based in Sydney, Australia. He has previously worked as a newsreader at 2SER and journalist at Ministry of Sport. While Joshua’s main passions are football, rugby league, basketball and F1, he will watch any sport that's on. He is still waiting for Arsenal to win the Premier League again.