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Mandlik Magic: Daughter of a Legend Returns to Australian Open Main Draw

Phil Naessens03 mins
Mandlik

Elli Mandlik has clinched her spot in the 2026 Australian Open main draw with a thrilling wild-card play-off victory, continuing her family’s storied tennis legacy and marking a major milestone in her career.

Who is Hana Mandlikova?

Hana Mandlikova, Elli Mandlik’s mother, is a former Czechoslovakian tennis star and four-time Grand Slam singles champion. She won:

  • Australian Open: 1980
  • French Open: 1981
  • Wimbledon: 1981
  • US Open: 1985

Mandlikova was known for her versatile game, tactical intelligence, and fighting spirit, qualities that have clearly influenced Elli’s own playing style.

She reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 3 in the world and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1994. 

From Ranking Struggles to Wild-Card Success

Boca Raton-born Mandlik entered the Wild-Card Challenge with her ranking having fallen to No. 182 at the start of October, hoping merely for a chance to enter the Australian Open qualifying draw.

She made a pivotal coaching change a month earlier, hiring Emiliano Redondi and Juan Pablo Guzman, and the switch paid immediate dividends. Mandlik won a W100 title in Edmond, Oklahoma, regaining momentum and positioning herself for the wild-card play-off.

What is USTA’s Annual Australian Open Wild Card Challenge?

The USTA Australian Open Wild Card Challenge is an annual event that gives American players outside the top rankings a chance to earn a main-draw wild card at the Australian Open. Players compete in a series of designated tournaments over a set period, earning points based on their results.

At the end of the challenge, the top-performing men’s and women’s players — in singles — receive a direct entry into the Australian Open main draw, bypassing qualifying. This system rewards late-season surges and strong performances in ITF and lower-tier WTA/ATP events, giving rising stars like Elli Mandlik a shot at the Grand Slam stage despite a lower ranking. 

Wild-Card Play-Off Performance

Mandlik secured the wild card after a tense match at the USTA Australian Open Wild-Card Challenge, showcasing resilience and clutch play. She won a hard-fought three-setter, 6‑4, 3‑6, 7‑5, against a strong field of competitors.

Her late-season surge, including the W100 Edmond victory, propelled her to the top American spot in the wild-card challenge standings.

Elizabeth Mandlik’s Career Highlights

  • Highest WTA singles ranking: No. 97 (June 2023)
  • Current singles ranking: No. 182 (October 2025)
  • ITF singles titles: 9
  • First WTA main-draw win: 2022 Silicon Valley Classic, defeating Alison Riske-Amritraj 6‑3, 6‑3
  • Multiple Grand Slam qualifying appearances
  • Wild-card entry to 2026 Australian Open marks a major return to the top-tier stage

Australian Open Outlook

With her wild-card entry confirmed, Mandlik will head to Melbourne to prepare for the first-round draw. Hopefully, she can use the experience to catapult her back into a spot in the rankings where she can worry only about her tennis. 

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