Medibank International Sydney Tennis - Australian Open Series

Star-studded line up in Sydney

Monday 7 December 2009 Comments

Medibank International Sydney Tournament Organisers have today unveiled the strongest lineup in the event’s long and distinguished history with nine of the world’s top ten women taking to the court in January.

In addition, Australia’s top ranked male and female players and an outstanding men’s field will light up the courts at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre.

The stunning line-up for the January 10 to 16 event includes four former World No. 1s and three Grand Slam Champions.

Leading the women’s field is world No. 1 and 11-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, who is returning to the event for the second consecutive year. She is joined by Dinara Safina (No.2), Svetlana Kuznetsova (No. 3), Caroline Wozniacki (No. 4), Elena Dementieva (No. 5), Victoria Azarenka (No. 7), Jelena Jankovic (No. 8), Vera Zvonareva (No. 9) and Agnieszka Radwanska (No. 10).

Also confirmed in the women’s draw is Australia’s world No. 13 Samantha Stosur, popular Slovak Daniela Hantuchova and Italian top 20 pair and Fed Cup champions Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone.

In the men’s draw, French showman and world No. 13 Gael Monfils leads the way, with Davis Cup finalist Tomas Berdych, Stanislas Wawrinka, Sam Querrey and Australia’s tennis hero, Lleyton Hewitt.

Crowd favourite and 2006 Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis is returning to the event for the first time since 2007, whilst regulars Mardy Fish, Feliciano Lopez, a member of the Champion Davis Cup team, and Richard Gasquet, a semi finalist at the event in 2009, are also confirmed.

Medibank International Sydney Tournament Director Craig Watson said he is thrilled with the player line up for the 2010 event.

“We are delighted with our confirmed player line ups and our women’s field, in particular, is certainly the strongest in the event’s history,” Watson said.

“To have nine of the top ten women in the world playing in Sydney is incredible and tennis fans would be hard pressed to find a more impressive line up, outside the Grand Slams, anywhere in the world.

“Add to that line-up French entertainer Monfils, Baghdatis and Aussie pair Hewitt and Stosur and the Sydney crowds will be in for some sensational tennis this January.”

Remaining spots in both the men’s and women’s draw will come from wildcards and qualifiers, and with no wildcards yet to be announced for the event, Watson is optimistic further big names will be added to fields.

“Last year Novak Djokovic came into the event as a wildcard very late and I am quietly confident there may be another top player out there again this year,” Watson said.

“With a number of star players competing in Brisbane, Perth and the Middle East in the preceding week, I will definitely be holding onto a couple of wildcards.”

Tickets to the Medibank International Sydney 2010, including the popular $9.90 ground pass, are on sale now through Ticketek and can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au or 1300 888 104.

The Medibank International Sydney will be held at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre from Sunday 10 January to Saturday 16 January 2010.

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