Daily Fuzz
The first week of the USTA’s Australian Open Wild Card Challenge is in the books.
Chris OddoOctober 15, 20262 minute read
Listen to this article
1×
✕
Elvina Kalieva has taken the early lead in the USTA’s 2027 Australian Open Wild Card Challenge, thanks to a semifinal appearance at the WTA 125 event in Suzhou, China.
The 23-year-old American, ranked No. 112, has earned 49 points through the first of five weeks of competition, with Kaitlyn Carnicella (33 points) and Fiona Crawley (27) rounding out the top three.
Madison Brengle and Claire Liu are fourth and fifth, respectively.
Women’s Wild Card Challenge Standings
After Week 1 of 5 — October 15, 2026
RankPlayerWTA RankPoints1Elvina Kalieva112492Kaitlyn Carnicella674333Fiona Crawley208274Madison Brengle188205Claire Liu9615
The women’s competition, which began October 5 and concludes the week of November 2, awards a main-draw wild card to the eligible American who earns the most ranking points from a maximum of three tournaments.
Meanwhile, the men’s Australian Open Wild Card Challenge gets underway October 19 and runs through the week of November 16, with players counting their best four tournament results.
The wild cards are awarded through a reciprocal agreement between the USTA and Tennis Australia.
Previous Australian Open Wild Card Challenge Winners
Includes Australian Open singles results (1R = first round, etc.)
YearMen’s Wild CardWomen’s Wild Card2026Patrick Kypson (1R)Elizabeth Mandlik (1R)2025Nishesh Basavareddy (1R)Iva Jovic (2R)2024Patrick Kypson (1R)McCartney Kessler (2R)2023Chris Eubanks (2R)Taylor Townsend (2R)2022Stefan Kozlov (2R)Robin Anderson (1R)2020Marcos Giron (1R)CoCo Vandeweghe (1R)2019Jack Sock (1R)Whitney Osuigwe (1R)2018Tim Smyczek (2R)Kristie Ahn (1R)2017Michael Mmoh (1R)Kayla Day (1R)2016Noah Rubin (2R)Samantha Crawford (1R)2015Denis Kudla (1R)Irina Falconi (2R)2014Steve Johnson (1R)Sachia Vickery (1R)2013Rhyne Williams (1R)Madison Keys (3R)2012Jesse Levine (1R)Madison Keys (1R)2011Ryan Harrison (1R)Lauren Davis (1R)2010Ryan Harrison (1R)CoCo Vandeweghe (1R)2009John Isner (1R)Christina McHale (1R)2008Jesse Levine (2R)Madison Brengle (1R)2007No competitionMadison Brengle (1R)
Tennis Express • Pro Player Gear • Shop what the pros play with
