Fellow former champions Stan Wawrinka and Bianca Andreescu were also awarded main-draw spots.

Iga Swiatek, Marketa Vondrousova, Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur will each have to hit their way through inspired unseeded foes in Paris.

Every year, 128 players fight for a place in the Australian Open main draw, hoping for riches, fame, and a chance at the title. Sixteen qualifiers from the women's draw made their way through the tournament in Dubai last month to book their tickets to Melbourne. Some are familiar veterans