Dokic returns to contest Hobart

Jelena Dokic will join fellow Australian Alicia Molik at the 2010 Hobart International. It will be her second appearance at the tournament having previously competed in 2008.

Announcing her entry into the Australian Open Series event, Tournament Director Michael Roberts said he is excited at having one of Australia’s top females contesting the event.

“It will be great to see Dokic back in action at the Domain Tennis Centre,” Roberts said.

“She is currently Australia’s No.2 ranked female and was in excellent form leading into the end of the 2009 season.

“She captured the hearts of all tennis fans at the Australian Open in January and hopefully she can continue her form in the main draw here and get her 2010 season off to a winning start.

“With Jelena’s ranking now sitting at No.57 in the world she has direct entry into the main draw in Hobart.

“The fields here are usually very even so she will be a realistic chance of becoming only the second Australian to claim the title,” Roberts said.

Dokic revitalised her career at the Australian Open in 2009 when, as a wildcard entrant, she went on to reach the quarterfinals.

The 26-year-old defeated Tamira Paszek (AUT), No.17 seed Anna Chakvetadze (RUS), No.11 seed Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) and No.29 seed Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) with her Australian Open campaign ending against top seed Dinara Safina (RUS).

Her results at this event saw her ranking jump from No.187 to No.91 allowing her to contest the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.

In October this year Dokic also won a USD$100,000 ITF event in Greece. She backed this up a few weeks later winning another USD$100,000 ITF event in France, her most significant titles in more than seven years.

The former No.4 has previously reached the semifinals and quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2000 and 1999 and the quarterfinal at the French Open in 2002.

Tickets are now on sale for the Hobart International, which runs from January 8-16, through Ticketek outlets (www.ticketek.com.au or phone 1300 888 104), with tickets starting at just $9.90.

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