Newly engaged tennis players Maddison Inglis and Jason Kubler have both qualified for the Australian Open main draw, securing their spots within an hour of each other.
Jason Kubler advanced after his opponent, Alexander Blockx, retired when Kubler was leading 3-6, 6-3, 1-0. Kubler noted the challenging journey to return to the main draw since his last appearance.
Maddison Inglis secured her main draw berth, her first since 2022, by defeating Germany's Tamara Korpatsch 6-4, 6-4. Kubler observed Inglis's victory, indicating greater happiness from her qualification than his own.
The couple, who became engaged in December, played their qualifying matches simultaneously throughout the week. Inglis initially believed Kubler had lost based on his early presence at her match. She described their joint qualification as a "special moment," stating, "It's pretty crazy. It's not every day you both get through qualifying, and are in the main draw of a grand slam."
Kubler's first-round opponent in the main draw is world number 29 Francis Tiafoe. Inglis will face fellow Australian Kimberly Birrell.
Other Australian players, Dane Sweeny and Storm Hunter (returning after injury), also qualified for the main draw. This marks the first time since 1992 that four Australians have advanced to the Australian Open main draw via the qualifying rounds.
In total, 21 Australians—11 men and 10 women—will compete in the tournament's main draws.