Tasmania’s top female tennis player Anna Wishink will be aiming for her first main draw appearance at the Moorilla Hobart International this month after tournament organisers today granted her a wildcard into qualifying.
Wishink, who has contested the qualifying event at the past two tournaments, will head into the event confident following an excellent performance at the Australian Open Wildcard Play-off at Melbourne Park last month.
The 19-year-old won her round robin pool and defeated all three opponents – Emelyn Starr, Mia Vriens and Jade Hopper – without dropping a set. Wishink went down to Isabella Holland in the knock out draw.
Spending the majority of the year playing on the second-tier ITF professional circuit both in Australia and overseas, Wishink had some excellent results in 2008.
She reached the final of a $10,000 tournament in Hamilton, New Zealand, and also made the quarterfinals in several $50,000 events in the USA.
Rewarded for her efforts, Wishink cracked the top 500 in the world for the first time at the end of December and finished the year ranked 499.
“Anna has been in excellent form despite an injury set back towards the end of last year and I am thrilled to be able to offer her a wildcard into qualifying,” Michael Roberts, Moorilla Hobart International Tournament Director, said.
“She has a huge support base here in Tasmania and is a role model for many young players in the state, both female and male. Seeing her play on the world stage at the Moorilla Hobart International provides inspiration to up-and-coming tennis talents.
“One of the major reasons we stage such a high profile international tournament is to benefit the local Tasmanian tennis players in their development in the sport.
The qualifying event will kick start the 2009 Moorilla International on 9 January with the main draw action underway from 11 January.
Tickets are now on sale through Ticketek, with tickets starting at just $9.90.
Tickets can be purchased online at ticketek.com.au or 1300 888 104.