Star Unveils Bold $480k Prize Money Plan
Australian tennis player Maddison Inglis has made headlines by reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open. This remarkable achievement has earned her a substantial prize of $480,000, marking her largest payout in a tournament to date.
Inglis’ Journey at the Australian Open
The 28-year-old Inglis, ranked 112th in the world, faced off against world number two, Iga Swiatek, in a match held on Rod Laver Arena. Unfortunately, she was defeated with scores of 6-0 and 6-3. Prior to this, Inglis advanced to the fourth round after Naomi Osaka withdrew from the tournament, allowing her direct entry.
Historic Achievement
Inglis’ presence in the final 16 marks a significant milestone as she is the first Australian woman to achieve this since Ash Barty’s Grand Slam victory in 2022. Despite her loss, Inglis expressed immense pride in her performance.
Plans for the Prize Money
During a post-match press conference, Inglis shared her intentions for spending the prize money. Her priority is to invest in her tennis career by hiring more support staff. Alongside that, she expressed a desire for shopping, mentioning a specific goal of purchasing a Smeg toaster.
Inglis noted, “I’ve wanted a Smeg toaster for so long. That’s going to be my treat, and maybe the kettle, too.” The stylish Smeg toasters range from $299 to $1,099, depending on the model.
Future Aspirations
Inglis also highlighted her wish list, which includes a KitchenAid stand mixer priced over $1,000 and a dream of owning a Mini Cooper. “I want to be rolling down the Gold Coast in my Mini Cooper,” she laughed.
Emotional Reflections
Although Inglis left the tournament disappointed by her performance against Swiatek, she reflected on her journey with pride. She stated, “If someone had told me before Christmas that I would be in the fourth round of the Australian Open, I wouldn’t have believed them.”
Though the match did not conclude as she had hoped, there were moments of joy. Early in the second set, Inglis broke Swiatek’s serve, igniting cheers from the crowd. The audience erupted in celebration as she won consecutive games, boosting her score to 5-3 before the match ended.
Next Steps for Swiatek
Following her victory over Inglis, Swiatek is set to compete against fifth-seeded Elena Rybakina, who decisively won her match earlier in the day with scores of 6-1 and 6-3.
