'Isn't it amazing?': Dylan Alcott floored by Storm Hunter's rebound from illness, injury

Storm Hunter has encountered injuries and illness that left her unranked and planning for life as a retired tennis player. The Australian underdog also grew up in a pub with little money.

But on Friday night, the Queenslander will stride out for the third round of a singles grand slam campaign for the first time, and at Rod Laver Arena no less.

The 29-year-old from Rockhampton will take on Czech star Barbora Krejcikova, the ninth seed in the Australian Open women's draw.

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Australian tennis legend Dylan Alcott has witnessed parts of Hunter's dogged journey first hand.

"I was there training next to her when she had all the injuries," Alcott said on Nine's Australian Open coverage.

"The fact that she's even playing tennis, let alone the fact that she's on Rod Laver Arena, is very impressive.

"She was doing coaching courses because she thought her career was over. She had no ranking, she had illness, she had injuries, and the fact she's out there doing it, isn't it amazing?"

Hunter's career was derailed by a serious shoulder injury, as well as injuries to her back, ankles and hamstrings.

The left-hander was also diagnosed with an auto-immune disease called ankylosing spondylitis.

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She's now ranked 180th in singles and No.1 in doubles.

She's teamed up with Czech star Katerina Siniakova for the Melbourne major, where they've advanced to the second round.

"There are some tennis players that are built on pure talent. That's not Storm; she's built on hard work," Alcott said.

"If you're a young tennis player, keep having a crack, keep putting yourself out there and that time will come. Storm's a testament to that."

Before this year's Australian Open, Hunter's second-round appearance at Roland-Garros in 2023 was the furthest she had progressed in a singles grand slam campaign.

She's the only Australian to have reached the third round of the women's singles draw at Melbourne Park this year, after the exits of Ajla Tomljanovic, Olivia Gadecki, Taylah Preston and Daria Saville.