Reason Aussie tennis star Storm Hunter became 'emotional' after qualifying win

Aussie Storm Hunter has fought back tears after winning her first-round qualifying match, as she hopes to earn a spot in the Australian Open main draw.

The 31-year-old was too good for Georgia's Ekaterine Gorgodze, winning 7-5, 6-3 in straight sets on KIA Arena on Tuesday morning.

It was a strong performance, with Hunter breaking her opponent late in the first set to gain the early ascendancy.

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A wild second set then saw five breaks of serve in the first seven games, before the Aussie regained control and closed things out.

Eleven break points were won of a possible 17, highlighting the chaos of the contest.

But Hunter had the upper hand throughout and continued what has been a strong start to 2026 for her.

Speaking after the match, the Queenslander quickly became emotional. Hunter tore her Achilles in April of 2024 during a practice session before a Billie Jean King Cup match.

The injury halted a run of four straight grand slam singles appearances, including making the round of 32 at the 2024 Australian Open.

Watch the Adelaide International and Australian Open qualifying live and free on 9Now.

She made her return to tennis in 2025 and has fought hard to get back to a point where she is in contention for the Australian Open main draw.

"I'm a bit emotional because last year was really hard. I walked the bridge limping from my surgery just dreaming to be back on these courts, so to play in front of you and get the win was awesome, so thank you so much everyone for the support," Hunter said on court.

"The support is amazing. In that second set I started getting really, really nervous and I heard all the support and it got me out of my own head."

Hunter says her focus is on Wednesday's qualifying match and continuing to regain trust in her body, rather than making the main draw.

"I'm taking it match by match. The first match you're always the most nervous and the energy around the ground, everyone is nervous, to get the win was great," she said.

"I'm just going to refresh now and get ready for the next match. I'm not really thinking about the main draw, I'm just focusing on the next match.

"The more matches I play the better I'm moving and feeling and I'm getting more confident so I'm excited for tomorrow and the tournament."

She stepped up successfully for Australia during the United Cup earlier this month, replacing the ill Maya Joint and defeating Norway's Malene Helgo.

Hunter has also had a ton of success as a doubles player, making the Wimbledon final in 2023 and winning the US Open in 2022 in mixed doubles.

She will take on Serbia's Lola Radivojevic in the next round of qualifying.

Radivojevic broke down in tears herself after defeating Australia's Alana Subasic on Tuesday.