Australian tennis is celebrating a historic milestone at Indian Wells, with a record eight Australian players advancing to the second round, the highest number in the tournament’s history.
Driving the milestone are five women: Storm Hunter, 29th seed Maya Joint (who received a first-round bye), Kimberly Birrell, Ajla Tomljanovic and Talia Gibson, who all advanced to the round of 64.
The achievement comes on the eve of International Women’s Day, highlighting the depth, consistency and growing competitiveness of Australian women’s tennis on the international stage.
Joining them on the men’s side is Alex de Minaur (who also received a first-round bye), Adam Walton and Rinky Hijikata.
“We are incredibly proud that a record eight Australians have reached the second round at Indian Wells, including five women, for the first time,” Tennis Australia Chief Performance Officer Tim Jolley said.
“It’s a fantastic indication of the work they have put in and the momentum they are building.
“Young gun Maya's seeding gained her a first-round bye, Ajla’s experience and competitive spirit always shine through, and Kim has delivered another strong performance in the main draw. Talia not only won through qualifying but also defeated a top‑50 player for her first main draw win at this level, showing maturity beyond her years. Storm, who also qualified, continues to demonstrate the professionalism and determination we all admire so much.
“This collective achievement is the product of hard work from the athletes and their support teams, and it’s a really encouraging sign for the future of Australian women’s tennis.”
As the second round gets underway, the record eight Aussies will look to build on their historic start and continue their strong performances in California.