Melbourne, Australia, 8 January 2023 | Leigh Rogers
James Duckworth and Aleksandar Vukic lead the Aussie charge in the Australian Open 2023 men’s qualifying singles competition. They are among 15 local contenders hoping to earn a coveted main-draw spot.
If successful, they will join nine Australians already in the main draw. This includes world No.22 Nick Kyrgios, world No.24 Alex de Minaur, Chris O’Connell, Jordan Thompson and Thanasi Kokkinakis, as well as wildcards Jason Kubler, Alexei Popyrin, Rinky Hijikata and John Millman.
The Australian Open 2023 qualifying competition will be held across four days at Melbourne Park, beginning tomorrow. To qualify, players must win three rounds.
Tickets to attend Australian Open qualifying are just $5 for kids and $10 for adults. Fans will also be able to see some of the world’s top-ranked players compete in practice matches at Melbourne Park.
> BUY NOW: Australian Open 2023 tickets
Meet our Australian contenders:
[21] Aleksandar Vukic, 26, New South Wales
At world No.130, Vukic is the highest-ranked Australian in the men’s qualifying singles draw. Vukic enjoyed a major breakthrough at last year’s Australian Open, winning his first Grand Slam main-draw match. He went on to reach three ATP Challenger finals and achieve a new career-high ranking in a career-best 2022 season.
Australian Open career record: 3-4 (2-2 in qualifying)
Australian Open best result: Second round 2022
James Duckworth, 30, New South Wales
Duckworth begins his quest to make an 11th main-draw appearance in qualifying. The former world No.46 underwent hip surgery after last year’s Australian Open and has subsequently slipped to 155th in the rankings. Duckworth has scored five top-100 wins since returning to the tour, including one last week in Adelaide.
Australian Open career record: 5-13 (1-3 in qualifying)
Australian Open best result: Second round 2012, 2013, 2015, 2021
Li Tu, 26, South Australia
Tu has earned direct acceptance into a Grand Slam qualifying draw for the first time in his career. It follows a career-best season, where highlights included claiming a maiden ATP Challenger title and breaking into the world’s top 200. Tu, who had started 2022 ranked outside the top 500, also won three ITF titles from five final appearances.
Australian Open career record: 0-2 (0-1 in qualifying)
Australian Open best result: First round 2021
> READ MORE: Australian Open 2023 qualifying draws revealed
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