By Lauren Lynch

(December 15, 2010) The Australian Open is creeping up and the top 100 men and 98 women in the rankings are in the mix for the first major tournament of 2011.

There have been over 104 men who have accepted entry into the draw and 107 women to be followed by 16 qualifiers for men and 12 qualifiers for the women.

“To have the top 104 players in the world in the men’s main draw is incredible and shows the high esteem with which the Australian Open is held in world tennis. The women’s field also has every available top player in the world. The players vote with their feet and they are doing it again,” said Australian Open director Craig Tiley.



Juan Martin Del Potro will be at his first Grand Slam tournament since the wrist injury that kept him out of play since last year's Australian Open where he achieved a career high at world no. 4 in the rankings. Dmitry Tursunov will also be a part of the draw. The retired Elena Dementieva, injured Agnes Szavay, and last year's defending champion Serena Williams will not be at the Australian Open.

The eight wild cards are being fought for at the USTA Hold Wild Card Playoff for the men's main draw are Ryan Harrison, Jordan Cox, Denis Kudla, Michael Shabaz, Tim Smyczek, Jack Sock, Rhyne Williams and Donald Young. The eight wild cards fighters for the ladies' are Coco Vandeweghe, Beatrice Capra, Lauren Davis, Irina Falconi, Jamie Hampton, Krista Hardebeck, Madison Keys and Shelby Rogers.

Meanwhile at the Australian Open wildcard tournament, Peter Luczak, Alicia Molik and Jelena Dokic are fighting for for a wildcard. Rumor has it that Bernard Tomic is faking illess because he believe he will be accepted for a wild card without playing at the event.