Katie Boulter’s disappointing run towards the end of last season has put her Australian Open status in doubt.
The British star ended the 2025 season outside of the top 100, meaning Boulter will now need to qualify for the Australian Open.
Boulter entered the 2025 Australian Open as the 22nd seed at the Grand Slam, so she’s dramatically dropped over the year.
Nevertheless, the British star has been given one reason to be cheerful as she has received a wild card for another 2026 event.
Katie Boulter receives wild card for the ASB Classic
Boulter opted not to play any tournaments at the end of the year, as she was nursing a hip injury she suffered on the WTA Tour’s Asian leg.
The Brit has, however, been announced for a tournament ahead of the Australian Open at the end of January.
Boulter has been awarded a wild card by the New Zealand tournament, and she joins very esteemed company.
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Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens will also play the tournament as wild cards, while the likes of Alexandra Eala and Iva Jovic will also play the New Zealand event.
Elina Svitolina and Emma Navarro will be the top two seeds at the tournament, which has been won in recent years by Clara Tauson and Coco Gauff.
Who has been awarded an Australian Open wild card so far?
It might be over a month away, but the Australian Open has still handed out several wild cards for the 2026 Grand Slam.
The AO Asia-Pacific Wildcard Play-off finals and the Australian Pro Tour Wildcard Points Race have already confirmed six names for the event.
James Duckworth and Emerson Jones will represent Australia at their home tournament, while Americans Patrick Kypson and Elizabeth Mandlik have also gained entry into the tournament.
| Men | Women |
| James Duckworth (AUS) | Emerson Jones (AUS) |
| Bu Yunchaokete (CHN) | Zarina Diyas (KAZ) |
| Patrick Kypson (USA) | Elizabeth Mandlik (USA) |
| TBC | TBC |
| TBC | TBC |
| TBC | TBC |
| TBC | TBC |
| TBC | TBC |
Asian representation will come from Bu Yunchaokete and Zarina Diyas, who earned their place in Chengdu.
There are still five wild cards to be handed out, for both the men and women’s draw, which means Boulter might still have a chance of claiming one.
Boulter’s performances at the ASB Classic could help her convince Australian Open officials to give her a wild card.
Venus Williams has also been touted for a wild card after she was given one by the New Zealand tournament.
