Nick Kyrgios’s Australian Open wildcard campaign is on in earnest after the former Wimbledon runner-up was announced in the Kooyong Classic exhibition field.<\/p>\n
At just 17 years of age, the Queenslander becomes one of the youngest Australians to earn an Open main-draw wildcard.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the level of competition across the three events, Jones said the battle for top spot remained wide open until the final week.<\/p>\n
“No-one really knew who was going to win it,” she said.<\/p>\n
“It was a bit up and down. I was just trying to win the tournament, but this is definitely a nice bonus.”<\/p>\n
After sealing Australia’s path through to next year’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers with a key role in last month’s play-offs in Hobart, Jones cannot wait to experience another Australian Open.<\/p>\n
ABC Sport will live blog every day of the 2026 Australian Open from January 18-31.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The teenage sensation debuted last year after becoming Australia’s first female world number one junior since Jelena Dokic in 1998.<\/p>\n
“It feels great. I’m going to have such a great time playing it and I’m really excited,” Jones said.<\/p>\n
“I played it last year and it was so fun. It was such a great experience for me to get to know the level.”<\/p>\n
On the men’s side, top-seeded Duckworth secured his wildcard after emerging as the leading Australian performer across the three-week race.<\/p>\n
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James Duckworth has a chance to continue his career via a wildcard for next month’s Australian Open. (Getty Images: Zhizhao Wu)<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old capped off a strong swing with his ranking rising to world number 87, earning his return to the AO main draw after narrowly missing direct entry.<\/p>\n
“I’m really excited to be back playing the main draw of the Australian Open,” Duckworth said.<\/p>\n