Why Australia’s highest-ranked female tennis star has been SNUBBED by the Australian Open

Australia’s highest-ranked woman has been overlooked for a wildcard berth at the Australian Open as Daria Saville capped her comeback from a knee injury with one of the final spots in the main draw.

Arina Rodionova could become the oldest player ever to debut inside the world top 100 within weeks, but the Russian-born Victorian will be forced through qualifying at the Australian Open.

The 34-year-old caused a stir when she beat 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in straight sets at the Brisbane International on Tuesday, but lost 6-1 6-1 to Russian teen Mirra Andreeva in her round of 16 clash on Thursday before missing wildcard selection.

At 34 years old, Rodionova is on the verge of breaking into the top 100 for the first time

Saville earnt selection after reeling in her world ranking from 322 to 209 in the second half of the year after returning from an ACL tear she suffered in September 2022.

The former world No. 20, who secured back-to-back fourth-round finishes at Melbourne Park in 2016-17, collapsed with the injury only seven minutes into her Pan Pacific Open match against Naomi Osaka in Tokyo.

Saville, 29, also played at the Brisbane International this week, bowing out in the second round to 11th seed Anastasia Potapova over three sets.

Daria Saville is helped by Naomi Osaka (right) and an official after seriously injuring her knee in September 2022. She’s now secured a spot in the main draw of her home Grand Slam 

Rodionova will now have to begin her Australian Open campaign on Monday as she goes through qualifying for a spot in the singles draw

Nine male and female players received direct entry into the main draw in the final round of wildcards on Friday, including four reciprocal wildcards awarded to French and US players in exchange for Australians receiving wildcards to their respective grand slams last year.

Former Australian Open quarter-finalist Alize Cornet was among the quartet of players awarded reciprocal wildcards, while another in the men’s draw was issued to exciting Chinese 18-year-old Shang Juncheng.

Reigning Australian Open doubles champion Jason Kubler received a wildcard after he was ousted from the Brisbane International in the round of 16 by Rafael Nadal.

The Queenslander will be joined in the main draw by Filipino-born Australian prospect James McCabe, taking the number of Australian men’s singles competitors to 13 with five women in the main draw.

Rodionova is set to travel to Melbourne for singles qualifying beginning Monday, with the men’s and women’s draws yet to be announced.