Williams To Play Hobart For The First Time

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 13th November 2013

Williams To Play Hobart For The First Time

epa03927057 Serena Williams of the US reacts to a point against China's Na Li during their final match for the WTA Championships tennis tournament in Istanbul, Turkey, 27 October 2013. EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU |

Venus Williams is not quite ready to hang up her racquet, with the 33-year-old opting for a fast start to the 2014 campaign starting in less than two months. She will kick start her 2014 campaign at the small Hobart International in Tasmania, making her debut at the lower-rung event prior to the Australian Open.

“I’ve never played in Hobart before, I hear it’s a very beautiful city and I can’t wait to meet my fans there,” said the seven-time grand slam event winner whose last major title came at 2008 Wimbledon. “The tournament is played on the same surface as the Australian Open, so it will be great place to get some good match practice against tough opponents before I head to Melbourne.”

The 48th-ranked Williams, with her 44 career titles, will be still be impressive box office material for the tournament which sometimes struggles to attract name players.

Also playing is another woman in need of a comeback is 2011 US Open winner Samantha Stosur whose game seems to freeze up whenever she plays at home, The Queenslander will try her luck in Hobart after a start the week before at the Hopman Cup in Perth.

Topics: 10sballs, Australian Open, Hobart, Hopman Cup, Samantha Stosur, Serena Williams, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, US Open, Wta