Australia’s top-ranked player Samantha Stosur will make her return to the Hobart International on Monday.
Stosur last played in the tournament in 2004, when she was ranked outside the top 100. She returns as the world no. 18.
Hobart International tournament director Mark Handley confirmed today that Stosur’s first round match in her return to the tournament would be during Monday’s day session.
It is a rare move by tournament organisers, but Handley said it was made to cater for excited fans who wanted to see Stosur in action in Hobart.
“By making this announcement now before the draw is made, it is going to make sure fans don’t miss out on the opportunity to come down and watch her play,” he said.
“Sam is Australia’s leading player, she is a grand slam champion and it has been a while since she has played in front of her Tasmanian fans. We are thrilled she chose this to be her final tournament to put the finishing touches on her game ahead of what is going to be a successful Australian Open campaign for her.”
> Purchase tickets to the 2014 Hobart International
Handley also today confirmed that an exhibition match featuring former world no. 1 Martina Hingis and current junior world no. 1 Belinda Bencic will be played on centre court on Sunday evening.
He said the exhibition match would not start before 5.30pm.
“It is going to be a fun evening with lots of entertainment and crowd interaction. It is something that the Hobart crowds will never have experienced,” Handley said.
“To have the world’s number one junior and a former world number one player involved is huge.”
Hingis will also be involved in the Hobart International Kids Tennis Day tomorrow at the Domain Tennis Centre, which starts at 10am. Entry is free.
Tickets for the tournament, including Sunday and Monday, can be purchased at ticketek.com.au as well as on-site at the Domain Tennis Centre from tomorrow.