Emerging Australian tennis players Tristan Schoolkate and Talia Gibson have secured wildcards into the main draw of the US Open, increasing the Australian representation to a total of 14 players. This year’s final Grand Slam is set to commence on August 24, 2024, with qualifying rounds beginning on the following Monday. Both players will bypass the qualifying phase, directly entering the prestigious tournament in New York City, which is led by world No. 8 Alex de Minaur.
Schoolkate, hailing from Western Australia, recently broke into the ATP top 100 rankings for the first time, now positioned at No. 97. His ascent follows a series of impressive performances, including a notable victory over world No. 47 Joao Fonseca at the Toronto Masters—marking his first win against a top-50 opponent. Prior to this, Schoolkate was ranked No. 110 at the July 14 entry deadline and just missed direct entry. Earlier this year, he reached the second round of the US Open and made three Challenger finals, clinching titles in Brisbane and Ilkley, UK.
“It’s such an amazing experience to play in the main draws of the Grand Slams,” Schoolkate expressed. “It’s what we as players work towards, week in, week out, so I’m excited and ready for the challenge in New York.”
Gibson, age 21, has also experienced a breakthrough season, achieving a career-high ranking of No. 107 last month. Like Schoolkate, she is from Western Australia and recently celebrated her 10th ITF singles title at the W75 event in Granby, Canada. Gibson’s journey includes her first Grand Slam main-draw win at the Australian Open, where she triumphed after coming from a set down in a remarkable debut. She also made her main-draw debut at Wimbledon this year, successfully navigating through three rounds of qualifying.
“This is an incredibly rewarding acknowledgment for all the hard work my team and I have been putting in and for the results I’ve had this year,” Gibson remarked regarding her wildcard selection from Tennis Australia. “I can’t wait to get out there and give it my very best and make everyone proud.”
With the addition of Schoolkate and Gibson, the Australian contingent now comprises 12 players—eight men and four women—set to compete in the main draw. An additional seven men and nine women will represent Australia in the qualifying rounds, further showcasing the nation’s growing talent in tennis. The excitement surrounding these young players highlights Australia’s commitment to nurturing its athletes and their potential on the global stage.
