By Kim Douglass
© Natasha/Mark Peterson, Beverly Balowsky

(December 25, 2010) Jelena Dokic and Peter Luczak were awarded wild cards into next month’s Australian Open.

After coming up losers at the Dec. 19 playoff finals at Melbourne Park, the two can now rejoice over their first round entry to the major tournament on Jan.17. Both players earned main-draw places in to the 2009 major tournament but have since fallen in rankings, dipping into the 130s.

“I had a pretty good playoff considering I didn't play a match in over two months," said Dokic, “It was a good practice run for me. I'm very happy to receive the wild card.

The 27-year-old is a former quarter finalist at the Aussie Open but was beaten by Olivia Rogowska in a three-set, rain-interrupted match.

"I was disappointed to have lost the final when I was winning so easily and everything was going so well. But I should have kept my nerve and the rain didn't help. I played a very good semi-final and a good final."

As for the 31-year-old Luczak, who lost to Marinko Marosevic, he is treating his entrance like an early Christmas present. He told the Sydney Morning Herald,

"Last night me and my wife were high-fiving actually when I found out the news,'' he said. ''I told my parents as well, and they were pumped for me. It's nice to know so early.
Before, I was up in the air whether to play Sydney or not depending on the wildcard - to play qualies, I wouldn't have been able to play Sydney just in case I won one or two matches there - so it's nice knowing that my summer's set. I can play Brisbane, I can play Sydney, then hopefully get a few wins under my belt and have a bit of confidence coming into the Australian Open.”

Before stepping back onto the court at Melbourne Park, Luczak plans to play the Brisbane and Sydney International tournaments next month.