Maddison Inglis departs Melbourne Park with mixed emotions after her remarkable Australian Open journey came to an end in the fourth round. The Australian qualifier, who captured the hearts of local fans, was defeated by world number two Iga Swiatek in straight sets, 6-0, 6-3, on Monday night. Despite the loss, Inglis leaves with significant prize money and renewed ambition.
A Career-Best Performance Ends Against a Champion
Facing Swiatek, a player chasing her seventh grand slam title, proved a formidable challenge for Inglis. This match marked only the second time in her career that she has competed against a top 10 opponent. The first set was a tough lesson, but Inglis showed resilience in the second set, breaking Swiatek early and celebrating with an exuberant jump along the baseline.
"I could go the other way and just mope around like I lost the first 6-0, but I just wanted to enjoy it and try and keep the spirits up," Inglis remarked post-match. "I was just like 'keep fighting, I'll get there, and if I don't, it's not the end of the world.'"
Pride and Disappointment in Equal Measure
Inglis's tournament run was nothing short of impressive. She battled through qualifying rounds, secured two hard-fought victories in the main draw, and benefited from a walkover due to Naomi Osaka's withdrawal. Reaching the round of 16 represents a career highlight for the 28-year-old, who now finds herself among Australia's leading women's tennis players, alongside peers like Ajla Tomljanović and Kimberly Birrell.
"I'm proud. I gave it everything these last two weeks," Inglis stated, reflecting on her efforts. "Honestly, going into this tournament, I didn't think that I had that in me."
Financial Windfall and Future Plans
The $480,000 in prize money from this tournament constitutes roughly one-fifth of Inglis's career earnings to date. She plans to invest a substantial portion back into her tennis career, funding support staff and travel expenses to ease the demands of the professional tour.
Immediate goals include climbing into the world's top 100 rankings, with projections placing her within striking distance when new rankings are released next week. "That jump from 113 to 100 is still a long way," she acknowledged, highlighting the ongoing challenge.
Personal Rewards and Modest Treats
Beyond tennis investments, Inglis has a personal wishlist that includes a Mini Cooper and high-end kitchen appliances. However, she believes she hasn't yet earned the car. Instead, she's starting with a more modest indulgence: a Smeg toaster, which retails for a few hundred dollars.
"I've wanted a Smeg toaster for so long [and] I just was, like, 'no you can't do that'," Inglis confessed. "That's going to be my treat. And maybe the kettle, too."
Australian Representation Dwindles
Inglis's exit marks the end of Australian involvement in the women's singles draw at this year's Australian Open. In the men's singles, Alex de Minaur remains as the sole local hope, set to face top seed Carlos Alcaraz in a crucial match.
As Inglis turns her attention to supporting her fiancé Jason Kubler in the men's doubles and preparing for upcoming tournaments, her Melbourne campaign will be remembered for its grit, joy, and the promise of more to come from this determined athlete.
