Why Australia's highest-ranked female tennis player has been snubbed from the Australian Open
- Arina Rodionova is on the verge of a ranking milestone
- That didn't convince people about the Open draw
- Daria Saville has received much better news
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Australia's top-ranked woman has been overlooked for a wildcard spot at the Australian Open as Daria Saville capped her comeback from a knee injury with one of the final spots in the main draw.
Arina Rodionova could become the oldest player ever to debut in the world's top 100 within weeks, but the Russian-born Victorian will be pushed through qualifying at the Australian Open.
The 34-year-old caused an upset on Tuesday when she defeated 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in straight sets at the Brisbane International, but lost 6-1, 6-1 to Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva in her round of 16 match on Thursday. missing wildcard selection.
Arina Rodionova (pictured at the Brisbane International) will be forced to choose the tough path to success at the Australian Open
At the age of 34, Rodionova is on the verge of breaking into the top 100 for the first time
Saville earned selection after taking her world ranking from 322 to 209 in the second half of the year after returning from a cruciate ligament tear she suffered in September 2022.
The former world number 20, who secured back-to-back fourth-round finishes at Melbourne Park in 2016-17, collapsed with the injury just seven minutes into her Pan Pacific Open match against Naomi Osaka in Tokyo.
The 29-year-old Saville also played at the Brisbane International this week, losing to 11th seed Anastasia Potapova in the second round over three sets.
Daria Saville is helped by Naomi Osaka (right) and an official after suffering a serious knee injury in September 2022. She has now secured a place in the main draw of her home Grand Slam
Rodionova will now have to start her Australian Open campaign on Monday as she qualifies for a spot in the singles draw
Nine male and female players were given direct entry into the main draw in the final round of wildcards on Friday, including four mutual wildcards awarded to French and American players in exchange for Australians receiving wildcards into their respective grand slams last year.
Former Australian Open quarter-finalist Alize Cornet was among the quartet of players awarded mutual wildcards, while another in the men's draw was awarded to exciting Chinese 18-year-old Shang Juncheng.
Reigning Australian Open doubles champion Jason Kubler received a wildcard after being ejected from the Brisbane International in the round of 16 by Rafael Nadal.
The Queenslander will be joined in the main draw by Philippine-born Australian James McCabe, bringing the number of Australian men's singles players to 13, with five women in the main draw.
Rodionova will travel to Melbourne for singles qualifying from Monday, with the men's and women's draws yet to be announced.