Aussie wildcard’s resilience rewarded in Australian Open 2024 qualifying | 9 January, 2024 | All Information | Information and Options | Information and Occasions

5 months in the past, Ivana Popovic was unranked and not sure what her future may maintain.

The 23-year-old from Sydney had spent a yr on the sidelines after struggling a severe knee damage and admitted she “was scared” as she plotted her aggressive return.

Nonetheless, her resilience was rewarded right now when she recorded a primary Grand Slam win.

Popovic triumphed 6-3 6-2 towards Croatian Tena Lukas, a participant ranked greater than 300 locations greater, within the opening spherical of the Australian Open 2024 ladies’s qualifying singles competitors.

The Aussie wildcard produced a formidable efficiency, hanging 20 winners and conceding a mere eight factors on serve.

“I’m simply over the moon,” Popovic mentioned after profitable in 74 minutes.

“Getting here’s a testimony to myself, that I knew I might do it and I didn’t fall alongside these fearful moments. I stored going ahead.

“It’s been a very, actually robust journey. I believe any damage is basically unhealthy, however tearing your ACL is one thing the place you realize your destiny. You understand it’s going to be 12 months out, so it’s a must to make your peace with it.”

The world No.545 credit her household assist as being essential throughout her restoration, so was thrilled they have been courtside right now at Melbourne Park to share in her main breakthrough.

“It feels even sweeter,” she beamed.

That is Popovic’s greatest win, rating clever, since January 2020 and units up a second-round conflict with world No.118 Anna Bondar. The 26-year-old Hungarian is the No.11 seed within the qualifying draw.

“I’ve all the time checked out myself as having the expertise and all of the traits that I have to get there,” Popovic mentioned of competing on the Grand Slam stage.

“It’s simply exhibiting to myself that I can do it. Being amongst the world’s greatest gamers and with the ability to compete, that’s the place any tennis participant desires to be.”

Popovic is the third Australian lady to document a primary Grand Slam victory right now, following earlier victories for fellow wildcards Talia Gibson and Melisa Ercan.