Australian Open: Australian young hopefuls waived wildcard because of vaccination
The 19-year-old Australian Olivia Gadecki could have expected a wildcard for the Australian Open, but does not want to be vaccinated.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Dec 15, 2021, 04:49 pm
It was only a matter of time before the first fixed cancellations for the first Grand Slam tournament of the year would arrive. After the Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert had already canceled his participation in the Australian Open a few days ago, the Australian hopeful Olivia Gadecki followed today. With her refusal to vaccinate, the 19-year-old waived a fixed starting place in Melbourne, since she would have been given a wildcard by the Australian Tennis Association.
Missed chance of world ranking points and decent prize money
The rules of the authorities of the state of Victoria are clear - only vaccinated professionals are allowed to compete in the major down under. It shows that a young player is missing out on such a unique opportunity to collect world ranking points and unique experiences - not to mention the financial opportunities.
In any case, Gadecki had completed a respectable 2021 season. Without a ranking at the beginning of the year, the lady from the "Gold Coast" played her way up to position 237 in the WTA world rankings. In mid-February she celebrated at a WTA Tour 250 event in Melbourne, the Phillip Island Trophy, a victory over the then world number four Sofia Kenin from the USA. On the side she won two ITF Future tournaments and was in the final of two more.