More Grand Slam Champions Head to Hyundai Hopman Cup 18 August 2011

Written by: Staff on 18th August 2011

More Grand Slam Champions Head to Hyundai Hopman Cup 18 August 2011

Na Li of China returns to Greta Arn of Hungary during their match for the Italian Open tennis tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, 13 May 2010. EPA/MAURIZIO BRAMBATTI |

Reigning French Open women’s singles champion China’s Li Na and dual Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt will contest the upcoming Hyundai Hopman Cup (31 December 2011 – 7 January 2012) alongside previously announced current Wimbledon women’s singles champion Czech Petra Kvitova. Australian tennis great Lleyton Hewitt will team up with Jarmila Gajdosova ranked 30.

This line up sets the scene for what already promises to be another blockbuster event.

Li Na – who added this year’s Australian Open runner-up trophy to her silverware – will partner compatriot Wu Di, the 19-year-old who had a notable five-set singles victory against Australia at this year’s Davis Cup second round.

This marks China’s first appearance in the Hyundai Hopman Cup maindraw. The nation was a play off participant in 2006 but was defeated at the hands of the Netherlands.

“I’m happy to be playing Hopman Cup for the first time,” said Li Na who has become a regional superstar when she made history by becoming the first Asian player to win a Grand Slam singles title.

“I’ve heard many good things about the tournament and the city.”

“I hope we can do well, and in the remainder of the Australian season,” she said.

Tournament Director Paul McNamee was thrilled “We are expecting next year’s Hyundai Hopman Cup to be one of the best in history. We are thrilled to have French Open champion Li Na of China competing for the first time and this will make the event even more attractive to the huge Asian audience. The Australian audience will be there to support local favourites Lleyton Hewitt and Jarmila Gajdosova. Added to that we have Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and 2010 finalist Tomas Berdych to make the line-up so far one of the most exciting we have ever had. Perth fans and our television audience around the world are in for a treat.”

Western Australia’s Tourism Minister Dr Kim Hames congratulated the Hopman Cup team for adding another two Grand Slam winners to the field for the next tournament.

“Lleyton Hewitt is a home crowd hero and Li Na is now China’s most popular sportsperson following her win at the French Open,” Dr Hames said.

“Her entry is particularly timely as WA’s tourism industry is launching a major push into the Chinese market, with China Southern Airlines beginning direct flights from Beijing and Guangzhou to Perth in November.

“Li Na’s appearance at the Hopman Cup will certainly boost Chinese awareness of Perth and WA.”

The State Government, through Evenstcorp, is a major founding partner of the Hopman Cup.

“The Government increased its support of the Hopman Cup last year and the attraction of top international players like Kvitova, Hewitt and Na shows that that investment is paying handsome dividends already,” Dr Hames said.

It will be Lleyton Hewitt’s sixth appearance at the Hyundai Hopman Cup.

“I’m really excited to be heading back to Perth for the Hopman Cup in January,” said Hewitt. “I’m looking forward to being 100 per cent fit, and for me the Hopman Cup is a great start to the year.”

“I love playing for my country and it will be good to team up with Jarmila and have a crack at the title.”

“I’m planning on playing good tennis. The fans are such great supporters of mine and I love playing in front of them,” Hewitt said.

Gajdosova has this year reached her highest singles ranking to date, and career highlights include claiming the 2010 title in Sydney as well as round-of-16 appearances at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon that year and a 2011 title in Hobart.

Her teammate Hewitt, despite having an injury-riddled year, remains focused and optimistic.

“It’s obviously frustrating when you have injuries and then need to come back,” Hewitt said.

“But I’m feeling good and looking forward to the next few weeks in the US, then there’s Davis Cup which I love,” Hewitt said.

“Beyond that, I’m feeling really positive about next year and looking forward of course to the Aussie summer.”

The Hyundai Hopman Cup previously announced the dynamic Czech duo featuring top tenners Kvitova (currently ranked 6) and Tomas Berdych (currently ranked 9).

ONE HD has confirmed it will televise approximately 50 hours nationally, making the Hopman Cup the most televised single week sporting event in Australia.

Hyundai Hopman Cup XXIV runs from Saturday 31 December 2011 – Saturday 7 January 2012 at Perth’s Burswood Dome.