Apia International Sydney Tennis - Australian Open Series

Safina set for new season

medibankinternational.com.au Tuesday 5 January 2010 5 Comments »

Dinara Safina is hoping to make a strong start to her 2010 season at the Medibank International Sydney, which begins on Sunday.

The world No.2 hit the practice courts in Sydney on Tuesday despite still feeling the effects of her 30-hour flight from Nice to Australia, via Frankfurt and Dubai.

Safina, who hasn’t played since October, said she felt refreshed and ready to begin her 2010 campaign.

“It’s a great tournament to prepare for Melbourne,” she said.

“The jetlag and the heat – for me, this is the toughest thing about coming to Australia.”

“I’m 100 per cent. I’m ready to play.”

“If I play my best, let’s see what can happen.”

The Russian admitted she was still feeling the pain after convincingly losing two Grand Slam finals in 2009.

“After every loss, you get smarter,” Safina said.

“Unfortunately I couldn’t make it last year but I still have a few years ahead of me and I hope I’ll get smarter as I get older.”

It’s a star-studded women’s field at the Medibank International Sydney in 2010 with Safina joining world No.1 Serena Williams, Justine Henin, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Caroline Wozniacki, defending champion Elena Dementieva and Australian Samantha Stosur at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre.

Safina said she was excited to see former world No.1 Justine Henin return to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.

“Justine is a great player and I really respect and admire her a lot so it’s nice to see her back and happy on a tennis court,” Safina said.

The Medibank International Sydney will be held from Sunday 10 January to Saturday 16 January 2010.

Tags: Dinara Safina

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