MELBOURNE, Australia — Maddison Inglis was nearly out of the tournament before it even started. In her initial match of the season, she saved two match points against Leyre Romero Gormaz, thereby extending her journey in Melbourne to the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Inglis advanced to the Round of 16 after Naomi Osaka withdrew, making her the only qualifier and one of only two unseeded players left in the tournament. Although she hasn’t played in the third round, she has secured her place and will compete against Iga Swiatek on Monday.
“These moments in Melbourne with family and friends mean a lot… it’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks, and we’re just trying to savor it,” Inglis told wtatennis.com ahead of her match against the World No. 2.
Long Matches at the Australian Open
Inglis has certainly put in the hours on the court, totaling 972 minutes during the tournament. Across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, she has spent over 16 hours competing, with around 13.5 hours dedicated to singles. Among her five singles matches, four have gone to three sets, with several sets being decided by tiebreaks.
A Personal and Emotional Journey
One memorable three-set match was against her close friend, fellow Australian Kim Birrell, which was both thrilling and emotional. The two have been friends since childhood and live near each other in Queensland. Inglis reflected on the difficulty of facing Birrell but felt proud of her performance, especially after her demanding victory over Laura Siegemund that lasted three hours and 20 minutes.
A Veteran Seeking Success
At 28, Inglis is making her 11th appearance at the Australian Open, having reached the furthest stage of a Grand Slam in her career. Although she has only made it to the main draw four times, her experiences in Melbourne date back to 2014. She recalls her third-round journey in 2022, where, as a wildcard ranked No. 133, she defeated seeded players before losing to Kaia Kanepi.
Upcoming Match against Swiatek
This will be Inglis’ second encounter with Swiatek, who previously defeated her at the 2021 Adelaide International. Currently ranked No. 168, Inglis is set to face her first top-five opponent since competing against Sofia Kenin in 2021. Her performance in this tournament has already earned her significant ranking points and prize money.
A Busy Life Off the Court
In addition to her on-court achievements, Inglis recently got engaged to Jason Kubler, her mixed doubles partner, adding another layer of joy to her life. They are exploring the idea of purchasing a home together, which this tournament’s earnings will support. Inglis enjoys beach time, dogs, and even has taken up Lego as a new hobby.
