ORLANDO, Fla., September 24, 2024 (USTA Press Release)

The Australian Open Wild Card Challenge, which will utilize indoor and outdoor hard-court and carpet professional tournaments to award an American man and woman a main draw wild card into the 2025 Australian Open, will begin with events the week of September 30 for the women – including the China Open WTA 1000 – and October 21 for the men.

The USTA and Tennis Australia have a reciprocal agreement in which main draw wild cards for the 2025 Australian Open and US Open will be exchanged.

The women’s wild card will be awarded to the American with the most ranking points earned at a maximum of three tournaments during a four-week window, beginning with events starting the week of September 30 (and including the China Open WTA 1000 in Beijing, which begins September 25). The women’s Challenge window runs through the week of October 21. All indoor and outdoor hard-court and carpet events at the W35 level and above, including WTA Tour events, will be included in the Challenge.

The men’s wild card will be awarded to the American with the most ranking points earned from a maximum of three events during a four-week window that begins the week of October 21 and runs through the week of November 11. All indoor and outdoor hard-court and carpet events at the M25 level and above, including ATP Tour and Challenger events, will be included in the Challenge.

Ranking points earned in the main draw and qualifying will be counted toward each player’s Challenge point total. Should the player with the highest number of Challenge points earn direct entry into the Australian Open, the wild card will go to the next eligible American in the Challenge points standings. In the event of a tie for the men or the women, the player with the best singles ranking on the Monday immediately following the conclusion of the Challenge will earn the wild card. Americans who otherwise earn direct entry into the Australian Open are not eligible.