Apia International Sydney Tennis - Australian Open Series

Justine Henin confirmed for Sydney

Monday 21 December 2009 5 Comments »

She’s been the world No. 1. She’s won seven Grand Slam crowns. She’s coming back to Sydney. Justine Henin announced today that she will play in January’s Medibank International Sydney as part of her comeback to professional tennis.

Medibank International Sydney organisers confirmed that the three-time champion will receive a wildcard to the event, which gets underway on Sunday 10 January at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre.

Henin joins an outstanding women’s draw tournament organisers believe is the best in its 125 year history. Nine of the world’s top ten, including Serena Williams, Dinara Safina, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Caroline Wozniacki and Elena Dementieva and Australia’s world No. 13 Samantha Stosur will join the Belgian in Sydney.

“I have a lot of happy memories of Sydney and have won the title three times, so I am looking forward to returning in January as part of my preparation for the Australian Open,” the Belgian said.

“The women’s draw is very impressive and it will be great to get some tough, competitive matches at the Medibank International Sydney before heading to Melbourne.”

The 27 year old has found plenty of success at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre, having won the event previously in 2004, 2006 and 2008.

Tournament Director Craig Watson said he was delighted to have the former world No. 1 in the women’s line-up.

“We are thrilled to have Justine returning to the Medibank International Sydney”, Watson said.

“She has always been a very popular figure in Sydney and as a three-time champion of the event, she will certainly be a crowd favourite in January.

“To have a wildcard of Justine’s calibre and quality in the field is very exciting and I am sure most of the top women will be wary of coming up against her. She is a definite chance for a fourth title in Sydney.”

Before announcing her retirement on from professional tennis on 14 May 2008, Henin had amassed 41 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour career titles and more than USD$19 million in prize money.

Henin was the world No. 1 for 117 non-consecutive weeks and won seven Grand Slam singles titles, including four French Open titles in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007, one Australian Open title in 2004 and two US Open titles in 2003 and 2007. She was also a finalist at Wimbledon in 2001 and 2006.

The Belgian has also won the year-ending Sony Ericsson Championships twice and the singles gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Most recently Henin played an exhibition event in Charleroi, defeating countrywoman Kristen Flipkens and world No. 12 Flavia Pennetta.

On December 12, Henin also defeated world No. 20 Nadia Petrova in an exhibition match in Cairo.

Williams, Safina, Kuznetsova Wozniacki, Dementieva, Henin and world No. 13 Samantha Stosur headline the women’s field for the 2010 event, whilst the men’s line-up is also exciting with Lleyton Hewitt, Gael Monfils, Tomas Berdych and Marcos Baghdatis among those confirmed.

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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