USTA Press Release, September 27, 2022

The Australian Open Wild Card Men’s Challenge, which will utilize hard-court and carpet professional tournaments to award an American man a main draw wild card into the Australian Open, will begin with events the week of October 24. The women’s side of the Challenge begins with events this week.

The USTA and Tennis Australia have a reciprocal agreement in which main draw wild cards for the 2023 Australian Open and US Open will be exchanged.

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 24 and runs through the week of November 14. All indoor and outdoor hard-court and carpet events at the 25 level and above, including ATP and Challenger events, will be included in the Challenge.

The women’s wild card will be awarded to the American with the most ranking points earned at a maximum of three indoor/outdoor hard court tournaments during a five-week window, beginning this week and running through the week of October 24. All indoor and outdoor hard-court events at the 25 level and above, including WTA Tour events, will be included in the Challenge.

Americans who otherwise earn direct entry into the Australian Open are not eligible, nor are players ranked in the Top 50 at the start of either Challenge. 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.

Wild card recipients will have to follow all Australian Open protocols as it relates to quarantine or vaccination.