The 2024 Australian Open entry list and the first wild cards have been unveiled. The star-studded line-up will feature former Australian Open champions Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniaki, who have been entered via special rankings of number 46 and number 31 respectively.
Osaka will make her come-back in Brisbane. The Japanese player gave birth to her daughter Shai last July. She won the Australian Open twice in 2019 and 2021 and the US Open in 2018 and 2020.
Kerber, who gave birth to her daughter Liana last July, will play her first tournament of the 2024 season at the United Cup. The German player claimed the Australian Open title in 2016.
Osaka and Kerber are joined by five other players (Jennifer Brady, Ajla Tomljanovic, Shelby Rogers, Amanda Anisimova, Caty McNally), who have entered the 2024 Australian Open main draw using a special ranking.
Four out of the eight wild cards have been unveiled. The list is led by Caroline Wozniacki, who won the Australian Open in 2018. The Danish player made her come-back last August, when she beat Tatiana Prozorova, Petra Kvitova and Jennifer Brady to reach the fourth round at the US Open before losing to eventual champion Coco Gauff.
Three more wild cards have been given to Australian players Kimberly Birrell, Olivia Gadecki and Taylah Preston.
The entry list will be led by six former Australian Open champions, including 2020 winner Sofia Kenin, 2012 and 2013 champion Victoria Azarenka and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. Ù
“We are delighted to welcome back these amazing women. Naomi, Angie, and Caroline, who have lit up the Australian Open and impressed fans with their athleticism, resilience and their sportsmanships”, said Australian Open Tournament Craig Tiley.
The line-up features eight further Grand Slam champions: world number 1 and Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek, US Open champion Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Marketa Vondrousova, who won the past two editions of Wimbledon in 2022 and 2023 respectively, Jelena Ostapenko and Barbora Krejcikova, who won Roland Garros in 2017 and 2021, Petra Kvitova, two-time Wimbledon champion in 2011 and 2014, Sloane Stephens, 2017 US Open champion.
The only players in the top 99 absent are Belinda Bencic, who is pregnant, and Bianca Andreescu, who has been sidelined by a back injury since August.
The next 12 alternates in case of withdrawals are Aleksandra Krunic, Kamila Rakhimova, Wang Yafan, Julia Grabner, Tamara Zidansek, 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, 2012 Roland Garros finalist Sara Errani, Kaja Juvan, Dayana Yastremska, Hsieh Su-Wei, Katie Volynets and Marina Bassols Ribera.
