19-year old Norwegian sensation ready for Australian Open in first Grand Slam tournament

Nicolai Budkov Kjaer is ready for the Australian Open
Nicolai Budkov Kjaer is ready for the Australian OpenDubreuil Corinne/ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia

The 19-year old Norwegian youngster Nicolai Budkov Kjaer is ready for the Australian Open after he secured access to the prestigious Grand Slam tournament through the qualifying tournament.

On Thursday, he beat Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-2, 6–3. It is his first time participating in a Grand Slam tournament at senior level.

"First of all, it is incredibly cool. It is fun to play well in big matches, and today I was fortunate to be better than the other guys. So I am really just happy", says Kjaer to the Norwegian Tennis and Padel Association after the victory.

Coach and father Alexander Kjaer is also happy about the victory and qualification for the main tournament.

"It was great. He is still a young teenager, but he was an adult on the court today", he tells the association after the match.

Kjaer won the Wimbledon title in the junior tournament in 2024 and is ranked 135th in the ATP rankings. The main tournament in Melbourne starts on Sunday.

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