Two rising tennis stars from Western Australia have received an early Christmas gift, securing coveted spots in the main draw of the 2026 Australian Open.
Wildcard Bonanza for Homegrown Talent
Talia Gibson and Taylah Preston are among four Australian players awarded wildcard entries for the first Grand Slam of the year at Melbourne Park. They join Rinky Hijikata and US Open third-round participant Priscilla Hon in receiving the discretionary invitations, significantly boosting local representation at the home major.
The announcement caps a stellar year for 21-year-old Gibson, who reached a career-high ranking of 105 in August. The Peppermint Grove athlete ended the season ranked 122nd, a year highlighted by her first Billie Jean King Cup selection and three ITF title wins in 2025.
Gibson's breakthrough moment came earlier this year at the Australian Open, where she secured her maiden Grand Slam main-draw victory by defeating Zeynep Sonmez in the first round. She also successfully qualified for the main draw at Wimbledon, cementing her status as a player on the rise.
"I had the best experience winning my first main-draw match at AO at the start of this year," Gibson said. "So I can’t wait to experience the home crowd’s amazing atmosphere again in January."
Preston's Meteoric Rise Rewarded
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Taylah Preston has earned her wildcard through a spectacular finish to the season. The former top-10 junior won an impressive 31 of her last 37 matches since September, catapulting her more than 60 places up the WTA rankings to world number 195.
Preston's late-season charge included claiming three Australian Pro Tour singles titles from four final appearances – triumphing in Wagga Wagga, Darwin, and Brisbane. Her consistent performance has now been rewarded with direct entry into the Australian Open main draw for the second consecutive year.
"I’m extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to play main draw in Melbourne again," Preston said. "It means so much, and I can’t wait to get out there and compete."
Strong Australian Contingent for Melbourne
The inclusion of Gibson, Preston, Hijikata, and Hon brings the total number of Australians in the singles main draws to 16 – with eight representatives each in the men's and women's competitions. This strong local presence promises to create an electric atmosphere at Melbourne Park throughout the tournament.
For both West Australian athletes, the wildcard represents not just an opportunity to compete on tennis's biggest stage, but also a chance to build ranking points and experience against the world's best players. Their preparation will now intensify as they aim to make the most of their home Grand Slam advantage in front of supportive crowds.
