The entry lists for the Australian Open are out. Alexander Zverev leads the German, Dominic Thiem the Austrian squad. Gerald Melzer still has to tremble for his place in the main field.
In less than six weeks it’s done, then begins in Melbourne (15. till 28. January) the new Grand Slam season. Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer as well as the returnees Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have their starting place anyway. Chilean Nicolas Jarry can breathe a sigh of relief, the number 100 in the world was the last player to qualify directly for the main draw.
Gerald Melzer (ATP 101) has to keep up with the top position on the “Alternate”list. While the 27-year-old from Lower Austria is dependent on the rejection of a direct qualified person, Dominic Thiem (ATP 5) and Andreas Haider-Maurer (Protected Ranking 63; currently ATP 447) are part of the team.
From a German point of view, Alexander Zverev (ATP 4), Philipp Kohlschreiber (ATP 29), Mischa Zverev (ATP 33), Jan-Lennard Struff (ATP 53), Peter Gojowczyk (ATP 60), Florian Mayer (ATP 69), Cedrik-Marcel Stebe (ATP 82) and Maximilian Torterer (ATP 90) are directly qualified.
Local hero Bernard Tomic has to qualify. The Enfant terrible, currently only 142 in the ranking, has canceled his participation in the Australian Open Play Offs – and thus missed his last chance to win a wildcard.
In the women’s field there is also almost everything that has a place and name. In addition to Simona Halep and Garbine Muguruza, attention will focus on Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. Victoria Azarenka is not on the list of participants. A custody battle also prevents the two-time Melbourne winner from returning to the Tour. Christopher Clarey, reporter for the New York Times, reports that the White Russia woman is said to have sought a wildcard via Twitter.
Instead, there is good news from the German women’s camp: Laura Siegemund (WTA 69) is making her comeback after a serious knee injury. Also directly involved are Julia Görges (WTA 13), Angelique Kerber (WTA 21), Tatjana Maria (WTA 46), Mona Barthel (WTA 47), Anna-Lena Friedsam (Protected Ranking 50; currently WTA 512) and Andrea Petkovic (WTA 99).