RAGS TO RICHES FEEL-GOOD STORIES: AO DAY 4 QUALIFYING

The final day of qualifying at the Australian Open offers 16 men and 16 women entry into the first major of the year, meaning there are at least 32 ‘feel-good’ stories around the grounds.

However, fitting them all in one place is impossible, so The First Serve has selected eight stories that should make all tennis fans feel good about the sport.

Destanee Aiava

Out on a packed court 3, Australia’s Destanee Aiava fought through a tough three-setter, dropping to her knees after winning the final point against Germany's Eva Lys.

Although Aiava has played in four main draws at the Australian Open, it has been four years since her last appearance.

But this one might be the most special.

Less than three years ago, Aiava spoke about her mental demons that almost caused her to take her own life. She also recently spoke out about the lack of a team environment amongst the Australian team at the United Cup.

But today, nothing could wipe the smile off Aiava’s face, as the realisation of a dream came true.

João Fonseca

It was standing room only on court 7, as the tennis world has woken up to what a special talent the 18-year-old from Rio de Janeiro might become (or already is).

Fonseca has had hype around him for a while, and after winning the ATP Next Gen title just a few weeks ago, it ramped up further.

The Brazilian could’ve been forgiven if he had a small letdown in Australia, but he’s done the complete opposite. He ripped through the Canberra Challenger field, reeling off 10 straight sets, and has backed it up at the Australian Open, dropping just 12 games in three matches.

Fonseca has now made his maiden Grand Slam draw, and it’s hard to believe he didn't qualify automatically based on talent alone.

All of Brazil, and it seems, most of the tennis public, are expecting him to overtake the great Gustavo Kuerten, as the greatest Brazilian tennis player of all time.

Pressure? What pressure?

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Hady Habib

The first Lebanese player to play tennis at the Olympics, and the first to win an ATP Challenger event, has just become the first to make a main draw at a Grand Slam.

Habib did it the hard way against his French opponent, Clement Chidekh, who was also looking for his first main draw appearance.

The 26-year-old took the first set before dropping the second, but in an agonising final set which could have gone either way, Habib came through 10-8 in the match tiebreaker.

Emotional scenes followed, in part due to the amazing achievement and in part because it means so much to his homeland, which has been going through hell in the last few months.

No doubt the whole country will be cheering him on as he takes his place in the main field next week.

Tristan Boyer

Less than two years ago, Boyer wasn’t even a professional tennis player. Yet, he is now going to take his place alongside the best of the best in the Australian Open main draw after defeating compatriot Christopher Eubanks in the final round.

Boyer was a highly successful college player, ranked No.9 of all college players in 2022. But since turning Pro in February 2023, his ranking has soared. Within his first year on tour, he jumped from barely in the top-1500, to the top-200.

He has already won three Challenger events and made four finals, marking his rapid rise.

Boyer played qualifying in the other three major events in 2024, but this year was his first Australian Open. It is going to be one he’ll never forget. 

Learner Tien

Another of the ‘Next Gen’ talents who has started to make waves on the tour, Tien experienced a stellar 2024.

So while most felt it was only a matter of time before he made it to the big stage, yesterday was that day.

Tien had received wildcards into the last three US Opens, but had never made it to the main draw of a Slam directly, or through qualifying. By defeating Jozef Kovalik, Tien unlocked that achievement.

His junior career saw him reach the 2023 Australian Open final, losing to Alexander Blockx, and the 2023 US Open final, going down to Fonseca.

In the last 18 months, Tien has won seven ITF and four Challenger titles, giving rise to the suggestion that tennis is going to be in good hands over the next decade.

Martin Landaluce

It seems the teenagers are coming, with the Spanish 19-year-old following on from Fonseca, making his first-ever Grand Slam main draw.

Landaluce has had a series of firsts over the last 12 months. In February, he won his first ITF title. In March, he made his debut on the ATP Tour, winning his first match at the Miami Masters. In October, he won his first ATP Challenger title, in Italy's Olbia, and now, he has qualified for a Slam.

It wasn’t easy though, taking nearly two-and-a-half hours to defeat Dalibor Svrcina of the Czech Republic. Landaluce and Svrcina split the opening two sets before Landaluce was able to break in the 11th game.

Four deuces were then required on the Landaluce serve before converting his third match point.

Gauthier Onclin

Onclin, hailing from Belgium, finished 2024 in a blaze of glory, winning 10 matches in a row to take out two ITF titles in Portugal and Tunisia.

He has started the 2025 season riding that same wave of momentum, reeling off three more wins to take him into his maiden Grand Slam draw.

Having spent most of the last two years ranked in the 200s, he now finds himself with a chance to overtake his highest ranking of 194.

Veronika Erjavec

Ripping through the qualifying field, dropping just 13 games in three matches, Erjavec could be one to watch. Representing Slovakia, this is the first time she has made it through a qualifying event at a Grand Slam.

With a current ranking of No.171 and a high ranking of No.168, Erjavec is about to smash through that barrier.

At age 25, Erjavec has been on the tour for several years, racking up six ITF titles, including two last year.

To see someone reach the pinnacle of their career so far, after five or six seasons competing on the back blocks of the tennis world, is exactly what qualifying week is all about.

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