Self-described scrapper Dane Sweeny has battled his way into the Australian Open main draw with a gritty straight-sets win over Italy’s Stefano Travaglia.
Sydney’s Sweeny secured the spot on Thursday, winning his third straight match in qualifying at Melbourne Park.
Cheered on by a court packed with vocal home fans the 24-year-old won 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-3) to qualify for the Open for just the second time, following his 2024 campaign.
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Sweeny made a first-round exit at what was his only previous appearance at a major, and is currently ranked No.182 in the world.
After Thursday’s win an emotional Sweeny sat courtside with his head in his hands, soaking up his achievement.
“I’m in disbelief,” he said in his on-court interview.
“Really, I was ranked 700 not so long ago, and I persevered. I was doubting the whole time.
“I just feel so incredibly grateful to be able to be in this position and I’m proud of myself for digging in there when it was really tough.
“I had a few opportunities to really break the [first] set wide open and I was a bit passive in the big moments.
“In the second set that was my goal, just to play with conviction in the big moments, win or lose, and I think I did that.
“So I can’t really believe it yet, but I’m super excited.”
The diminutive Sydneysider, who only weighs 63kg and stands 170cm, threw himself into every point in a stunning acrobatic display that often ended with him splayed across the court.
It appeared he had injured his wrist in the second set while diving for a shot, but he shook it off and played on.
“I don’t even have a decision when I do that, it’s just intuitive, it just happens,” Sweeny said.
“I think it just comes from being small and learning to scrap [from] a young age.”
Sweeny is one of four Australians — the others being Jason Kubler, Madison Inglis and Storm Hunter — still alive in qualifying, with the winners advancing to the main draw, which gets under way on Sunday.
AAP