The new World No.164 Olivia Rogowska has secured a main draw wildcard for the 2018 Australian Open.
 
The 26-year-old was the best performing Australian player at the $60,000 Canberra and Bendigo ITF tournaments, winning the title at the former event.
 
"It’s incredible to get this opportunity. When I was competing I wasn’t really thinking about the wildcard, I knew that the chance was there but I really just wanted to try and focus on myself, fight really hard and become a better tennis player," Rogowska said.
 
"It’s already been an amazing couple of months, getting the wildcard is a great reward for all my hard work and knowing that I’m going to be in the Australian Open main draw is just incredible.
 
"I’ve learnt a lot and I’m going to take everything I can and bring that into January, I can’t wait."
 
Since the beginning of the season, Rogowska has improved her ranking over100 places - rising from No.275.

Meanwhile, her 19-year-old compatriot Kimberly Birrell has been awarded a qualifying wildcard on the back of a series of impressive results.
 
After being sidelined for most of 2016 due to elbow surgery Birrell has made a sensational comeback, winning the Brisbane Pro Tour event and reaching the final in Penrith.
 
"Earning a wildcard to the Australian Open was a big goal of mine for the Pro Tour, but I was trying not to think about it too much when I was playing and just wanted to focus on one match at a time, getting my ranking up and trying to get as many matches as possible under my belt," she said.
 
"I haven’t had much time to think about my goals for the Australian Open, it hasn’t really sunk in that I’ll be playing. I’m just really excited to have this opportunity. Anytime I’m out on the court, doing what I love, I just try to enjoy it, I feel really lucky.
 
"Hopefully I can make the most of this opportunity, play well, and qualify for the main draw."
 
Birrell, an Australian Open junior semifinalist in 2014, slipped to No.770 in June but is currently sitting at No.351.