Brisbane Is Attracting Top Stars

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 24th October 2013

Brisbane Is Attracting Top Stars

epa03892767 Sabine Lisicki of Germany returns a forehand to Na Li of China at the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China, 02 October 2013. EPA/ADRIAN BRADSHAW |

Brisbane seems to be picking up momentum as the venue of choice to start the 2014 tennis season, with tournament officials announcing that world No.2 Victoria Azarenka will tune-up for her assault on a third straight Australian Open title at the Queensland event.

Due to the calendar, the tournament starts just a few day after Christmas, but that has not stopped the likes of Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Lleyton Hewitt from putting up their hands and committing to play.

Azarenka was joined in the WTA field at the dual event by 2013 Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki. Azarenka is happy to be returning to the event where she had to withdraw at the last edition due to a pedicure gone wrong which developed an infection.

The Belarus player won the inaugural edition of the event. “I always enjoy spending time in Queensland and I really love playing on Pat Rafter Arena. I won my first WTA title there in 2009 so I have some fond memories of the place and I’d love to win the tournament again,” said Azarenka.

“Brisbane always has a strong field and it will provide me with some tough matches against the world’s best at the start of the year. It did not end the way I would have liked in 2013, and I was as disappointed as the fans with this – but I hope to make it up to them this coming January.”

Lisicki, ranked 15th, is making a return after competing at the tournament last January.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Australian Open, Brisbane, Lleyton Hewitt, Roger Federer, Sabine Lisicki, Serena Williams, Tennis, Tennis News, Victoria Azarenka, Wta