MELBOURNE: Maddison Inglis’ unlikely run at the Australian Open has captivated tennis fans and injected $480,000 into her bank account.
The previously little-known 28-year-old from Western Australia only just scraped through qualifying to even make it to the start line.
Inglis survived two match points in her first AO qualifier against Leyre Romero Gormaz, kickstarting a “life-changing” grand slam run.
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Maddison Inglis of Australia after her victory against Laura Siegemund of Germany. Getty
She is the only qualifier remaining in the tournament and the first Australian woman to reach the fourth round in Melbourne since Ash Barty’s title win in 2022.
Riding a wave of goodwill and good fortune – third-round opponent Naomi Osaka pulled out due to injury – Inglis will now lock horns with world No.2 Iga Swiatek on Monday.
Poland’s Swiatek, with six grand slam trophies to her name, is understandably a $1.01 favourite with the bookmakers.
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Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty
But Nine’s John Millman isn’t afraid to dream.
Millman pulled off a similar mission impossible when he stunned Roger Federer in the fourth round of the US Open in 2018.
“It sounds ridiculous, because she’s obviously a multi-grand slam winner,” Millman said on The Morning Serve with Nick McArdle.
John Millman of Australia greets Roger Federer of Switzerland at the net. Getty
“But I think at times it’s fair to say that she (Swiatek) can get a little bit flustered, a little bit tense. She’s got very, very high standards.
“And when things aren’t necessarily working out to that perfection and those high standards that she has, she can get a little bit rattled.
“The forehand is the more damaging side, but it is also the side that can break down under a little bit of pressure. So I’m sure Maddy will be targeting that area and hopefully maintaining a really high level of consistency, hoping that Iga maybe gets a little bit frustrated.”
It is by far the biggest stage of Inglis’ career but Millman believes her vast experience as a professional will allow her to cope with the pressure and enjoy the occasion.
A raucous home crowd behind her won’t hurt either.
“I don’t think she’s without a chance,” Millman said.
“I think that the day off (from Osaka’s withdrawal) will only help her… but almost no matter what happens here, it’s going to be fascinating to watch Maddy Inglis over the next 12 months.
“What that injection of cash means is that she can further invest. So that means investing in a coach, investing in strength and conditioning coaches, and just be able to play a more flexible schedule.
“Sometimes you’re factoring in where is maybe the more economical place to go and play rather than what suits my game. So I think it’s going to really help.”
Aussie power couple Jason Kubler and Maddison Inglis are taking the Australian Open by storm. Â Instagram
It has certainly been a couple of months that Inglis won’t forget.
She got engaged to her mixed doubles partner, Jason Kubler, on Rottnest Island in December.
“The last month has been pretty crazy,” Inglis said.
“When Jason did ask me, that was such an exciting day.
“We’ve been able to spend every day together since then, which has been really special. He’s been amazing support. Whenever he can be on the side of the court at my practice, he’s there. So it means a lot.
“We have made a little bit of money this tournament. We’ve been really trying to buy something together – buy a house together. I think this obviously really helps with that and for our future.”