For West Australian tennis professional Maddison Inglis, the past two weeks at Melbourne Park have unfolded like a sporting fairytale. The 28-year-old, ranked 168th in the world, engineered a remarkable run to the fourth round of the Australian Open, a career-best achievement she described with palpable joy.
A Breakthrough Fortnight in Melbourne
Inglis's journey began with qualifying victories over Claire Liu and Tamara Korpatsch, securing her a coveted spot in the women's singles main draw. She capitalised on this opportunity, advancing through the rounds in what she dubbed 'the best result of my career so far'. Her path was aided by the injury-enforced withdrawal of her third-round opponent, former champion Naomi Osaka, but Inglis's performances were nonetheless a testament to her skill and determination.
'[I'm] super happy,' the elated athlete added, reflecting on a fortnight that has dramatically altered her professional trajectory.
Facing a Champion and a Lucrative Defeat
The dream run concluded on Monday with a straight-sets defeat, 6-0, 6-3, at the hands of Polish superstar and former world number one Iga Swiatek. Swiatek, a multiple Grand Slam champion, displayed ruthless efficiency, sweeping through the first set in a mere 32 minutes.
Despite a spirited effort in the second set, where Inglis broke Swiatek's serve to lead 1-0, briefly igniting the Rod Laver Arena crowd, she could not sustain the challenge. Swiatek quickly reasserted her dominance to seal the match.
'I felt pretty confident from the beginning,' Swiatek said post-match. 'I felt like the pace of the ball was much different on my last round so I needed to adjust with my legs and really be precise with my footwork and I'm happy that I went for it.'
Life-Changing Prize Money and Humble Dreams
While the on-court battle ended in defeat, the financial victory for Inglis is profound. As the last Australian woman in the singles draw, she will depart Melbourne with a 'life-changing' prize-money cheque of $480,000. This represents a staggering leap from her recent tournament earnings, which were $868, $1,356, and $7,086 in her last three events.
So, what does a tennis star do with a sudden six-figure windfall? For Maddison Inglis, the answer is charmingly domestic. Her immediate treat will be a long-coveted Smeg toaster, and potentially a matching kettle.
'I've wanted a Smeg toaster for so long, so long, that I just was, like: 'No you can't do that!',' Inglis confessed with a laugh. 'So I think that's going to be my treat, and maybe the kettle, too.'
Investing in Team, Home, and a Dream Car
Beyond kitchen appliances, Inglis has grander plans. She intends to invest a significant portion of her earnings back into her tennis career, supporting her coaching team and securing her future in the sport. A KitchenAid stand mixer is also on her wish list, highlighting her love for quality appliances.
Engaged to fellow Australian tennis professional Jason Kubler, who has advanced to the quarter-finals of the men's doubles with partner Marc Polmans, Inglis also dreams of property and a specific car. She hopes to one day buy a home with her fiancé and fulfil a long-held automotive fantasy.
'I want to be rolling down the Gold Coast in my Mini Cooper, so that's a dream,' she said. 'We'll see how the next few months go, and we'll see.'
Looking Ahead: Rankings Rise and Future Contests
Despite the loss, Inglis's Australian Open campaign guarantees a massive surge in the WTA rankings, projected to catapult her to around 113th in the world. This breakthrough provides a solid platform for the rest of her season.
For Iga Swiatek, the victory continues her quest for a career Grand Slam. Having won Wimbledon, the US Open, and four French Open titles, the Australian Open crown remains elusive. She will face fifth seed Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, aiming to make amends for last year's third-round exit.
As for Maddison Inglis, she leaves the tournament not just with a hefty bank balance and a new ranking, but with the confidence of a player who has proven she belongs on the sport's biggest stages. Her fairytale fortnight may be over, but the next chapter of her career looks brighter than ever.
