Micic’s Aussie run

Elena Micic. (Tennis Australia)

By Tara Murray

Caroline Springs’ Elena Micic grew up wanting to spend her Januarys’ on the courts at Melbourne Park.

Having started playing tennis at age three, making the Australian Open draw has long been a dream for the now 20-year-old.

She made the 2022 Australian Open junior event after winning through in qualifying, with a senior draw the next aim.

That dream was almost a reality for this year’s Open, falling one win short of the main draw after making it through to the final round of qualifying.

“It was a great experience,” she said. “I was super grateful for the opportunity to play and compete.

“With my first two matches and even my last match, I was happy with how I played.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better first slam experience.”

Micic, who started the year ranked just outside the world 400, received a wildcard into the qualifying tournament following her improvements last year.

She beat Elena Pridankina in the first round of qualifying 6-3 3-6 7-5, before leading Darya Astakhova 6-2 3-1 when her opponent retired.

Number six seed Polina Kudermetova ended her run with a 6-4 7-5 win in the final round of qualifying.

Micic said for her she didn’t focus on where her opponents were ranked once she was on the court, it was about making sure she concentrated on the game.

Being her home grand slam, Micic’s friends and family were out in force to support her in action.

“I was excited to play in front of them,” she said. “I grew up training on these courts.

“I played relatively well and felt like I was at home and felt confident.”

Micic, who is going into her third full year on the senior circuit, said she gained more confidence and belief with the matches that she’s played.

After finishing 2023 ranked at 879 in the world, Micic finished last year at 403.

She currently sits at 425.

Micic said she wanted to continue to build and improve her ranking. She said seeing her ranking improve so much last year really gave her a lot of confidence.

“Last year was better than the year before,” she said. “I was getting that experience of playing more tournaments and matches.

“Hopefully I can get the ranking up and keep going and playing plenty of matches.”

Micic said her first aim this year was to get her ranking into the early 200s which would give her the opportunity to automatically qualify for qualifying for the grand slam events.

Her long term goal is to make the top 100.

“Each tournament is different,” she said. “It [being in the 200s] might get me into the main draw at some higher events as well.”

Micic heads to Brisbane for two tournaments at the end of this month.

She said said was still planning her 2025 but would hopefully head overseas later in the year for more tournaments.

Meanwhile, Destanee Aiava, who has played some tennis for Diggers Rest, was knocked out in the second round of the Australian Open on Thursday night.