Croatian teenager qualifiers for Australian Open and draws Djoković

12 Jan, 2024 – Teenage Croatian tennis talent Dino Prižmić has secured a place in the main draw of the Australian Open. 

The 18-year-old qualified for his first Grand Slam after beating Tunisian player Aziz Dougaz, ranked 230th in the ATP rankings, 6:3, 6:4 in the final qualifying round in Melbourne. 

Currently 178th in the ATP rankings, Prižmić has been given a tough start to his debut Grand Slam appearance. He will face none other than Novak Djoković, the world’s top-ranked player who has won a record 24 Grand Slam titles, including 10 at the Australian Open.

Prižmić hails from the Croatian city of Split, which has been a breeding ground for tennis greatness, including the likes of Goran Ivanišević, Mario Ančić and Mate Pavić.

Last year, Prižmić surpassed Jakub Menšík from the Czech Republic to become the highest-ranked 18-year-old player in the world. He was also selected for the first time in the Croatian Davis Cup team. 

Croatia has four players in the men’s draw at the upcoming Australian Open. 

Borna Ćorić will play 17th-ranked American, Frances Tiafoe, in the opening round. Borni Gojo faces a tough challenge in the first round against Spain’s Roberto Carballes Beana, currently ranked 67th in the world. 

Marin Čilić, who is returning after a lengthy spell out through injury, meets Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan, ranked 65th in the ATP standings.