Shelby Rogers to rejoin WTA Tour at Australian Open weeks after wedding

American tennis player Shelby Rogers married ice hockey player John Slavic on December 4, 2023, in her native South Carolina. Rogers was glowing in the wedding photos released on her social media account.

Congratulations came pouring in to the newlyweds.  Rogers’ home tournament, the Charleston Open, where she served as a ballgirl as a kid and has experienced thrilling wins ever since, jumped on the bandwagon.

The 31-year-old former World No. 30 player will not have a long honeymoon as she is expected to make a comeback to the WTA Tour for the 2024 Australian Open beginning January 16, 2024.

Injuries plagued Shelby Rogers’ 2023 season

We have not seen Rogers on the tennis court since Wimbledon in July 2023 when she lost in the first round to defending champion Elena Rybakina.

She dealt with an abdominal injury that kept her out the rest of the year; however, her return is imminent as she has received a special ranking of 51 for the tournament.

Rogers is a former French Open and US Open quarterfinalist.  Her best finish in the Australian Open was in the fourth round in 2021. Her biggest career win in a Grand Slam tournament came at the 2021 US Open when she defeated World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty in a three-set thriller.

She is one of four American women granted special rankings ahead of the Australian Open.  The others are Jennifer Brady, Amanda Anisimova, and Caty McNally.  Anisimova took time away last spring to focus on her mental health, and Brady and McNally have dealt with injuries.