AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS 2017 COMPLETE ENTRY LIST

Written by: Staff on 8th December 2016

AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS 2017 COMPLETE ENTRY LIST

epa04557756 Tennis balls ready for use during practice ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament, at Hisense Arena in Melbourne, Australia, 13 January 2015. The Australian Open tennis tournament runs from 19 January until 01 February 2015. EPA/JOE CASTRO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

The Australian Open has released its’ acceptance list for next month’s tournament with the world’s top 99 men and 99 women confirmed to be part of the singles first rounds at Melbourne Park, beginning January 16.

The only name missing from the women’s draw is two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, still ranked world no.13 despite not playing since a first round retirement at the French Open in May and subsequently announcing she was expecting her first child.

In the men’s draw, those who have requested to play under protected rankings are 38 year-old Tommy Haas, Dmitry Tursunov, Jerzy Janowicz and Australia’s own Thanasi Kokkinakis. Italy’s Karin Knapp (ITA) and Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan are the two women set to play under the same circumstances.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said: “We have an exceptionally strong field for Australian Open 2017, and it’s exciting to welcome two new world no.1s, and two new top seeds in Angie [Kerber] and Andy [Murray].

“We have been in regular contact with Roger [Federer] and Rafa [Nadal] and both are ready and excited for the Aussie summer, with Roger heading to Perth and Rafa to Brisbane for the first time.

“Like all the players, they can’t wait to get to Melbourne and start the year off well. We’re very excited about the changes onsite, and as always we have a few more surprises.

“The players already appreciate how close Melbourne Park is to the city, and how easy it is to get around. With the new bridge in place, and the whole precinct now facing the CBD, it’s even more convenient and I have no doubt all the players and fans will have a great time.”

Those players entered into the main singles draws on reciprocal wild cards are Kayla Day and Michael Mmoh (United States Tennis Association), Myrtille Georges and Quentin Halys (Fédération Française de Tennis), and Luksika Kumkhum and Denis Istomin (Asia Pacific Play-offs).

Confirmed Players For Australian Open 2017

The world’s top 99 men and 99 women are confirmed for Australian Open 2017 in January.

The two new world No.1s – defending Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber and five-time finalist Andy Murray – will be top seeds in Melbourne, a sign of the changing of the guard in world tennis.

The all-star player field will also feature six-time champion, No.2 Novak Djokovic, who’ll be aiming to hoist the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup for a record seventh time. Six-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams (USA) also has an eye on the record books as she begins her campaign for a 23rd Grand Slam singles title, to surpass Steffi Graff and set a new record for the Open Era.

The only name missing from the women’s draw is two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, who in July announced she was expecting her first child.

Players expected to use protected rankings include former world No.2 Tommy Haas (GER), Dmitry Tursunov (RUS), Jerzy Janowicz (POL) and Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis.

On the women’s side Karin Knapp (ITA) and Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) will enter on protected rankings.

Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley is looking forward to welcoming the world’s best players to Melbourne in January.

“We have an exceptionally strong field for Australian Open 2017, and it’s exciting to welcome two new world No.1s, and two new top seeds in Angie [Kerber] and Andy [Murray].

“We have been in regular contact with Roger [Federer] and Rafa [Nadal] and both are ready and excited for the Aussie summer, with Roger heading to Perth and Rafa to Brisbane for the first time.

“Like all the players, they can’t wait to get to Melbourne and start the year off well. We’re very excited about the changes onsite, and as always we have a few more surprises.

There will be 16 male qualifiers and 12 female qualifiers added to each draw, along with eight wildcards.

Women’s main draw wildcards (as at 8 December 2016)

US reciprocal: Kayla Day (USA)

French reciprocal: Myrtille Georges (FRA)

Asia Pacific Play-off: Luksika Kumkhum (THA)

Discretionary: Lizette Cabrera (AUS)

Discretionary x 4: TBC

Men’s main draw wildcards (as at 8 December 2016)

US reciprocal: Michael Mmoh (USA)

French reciprocal: Quentin Halys (FRA)

Asia Pacific Play-off: Denis Istomin (UZB)

Discretionary x 5: TBC