Jelena Dokic and Peter Luczak, losers at the weekend in playoff finals for Australian Open wild cards, came up winners when Tennis Australia awarded the pair entry into next month's Grand Slam.
Dokic and Luczak both fell at the final hurdle on a rainy Sunday at the culmination of the week-long playoff at Melbourne Park.
Both Aussies will be lining up in the first round when the first major of 2011 begins January 17. "I had a pretty good playoff considering I didn't play a match in over two months," said Dokic, a former quarter-finalist at the Open, "It was a good practice run for me. I'm very happy to receive the wild card.
"I was disappointed to have lost the final when I was winning so easily and everything was going so well. But I should have kept my nerve and the rain didn't help. I played a very good semi-final and a good final," said the 27-year-old, ranked 137th.
The 31-year-old Luczak is treating his wild card as an early Christmas present. "I'm stoked, really pumped about getting a wild card and playing another Australian Open. I feel as though all my Christmases have come at once.
{{/usCountry}}The 31-year-old Luczak is treating his wild card as an early Christmas present. "I'm stoked, really pumped about getting a wild card and playing another Australian Open. I feel as though all my Christmases have come at once.
{{/usCountry}}"Last night, my wife and I were high fiving when I found out the news. It's pretty special. It's nice knowing my summer is set. Hopefully I get a few wins under my belt and have a bit of confidence."