‘Love the people here’, Hobart International’s top seed fondness for Tasmania
World No. 24 Marie Bouzkova has returned to the Hobart International as the tennis tournament’s top seed. Why she loves the Apple Isle >>>
Tasmania
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MARIE Bouzkova, the world’s No.24 ranked female tennis player, fell in love with Tasmania when she first visited here in 2020 and is thrilled to now return to centre court as the Hobart International’s top seed.
“Obviously, because of Covid, we couldn’t come back here, so that was a sad moment for us. I’m very happy to be back, enjoying being here after three years (away),” Bouzkova, of the Czech Republic, said.
“Love the people here and just, you know, Tasmania in general. I really like playing here for events, so always love coming back here.”
“Honestly, I was looking forward to seeing penguins here but I think you have to take a ferry there so that still remains on my bucket list,” Bouzkova laughed.
Coming off the back of a breakthrough year in 2022, where she made the quarter-final at Wimbledon, the 24-year-old is excited about what the new year would bring.
“I’ve been kind of always progressing slowly over the years, but just really happy with my season last year, I think I was pretty consistent the whole year so that was a very big plus for me and a big step forward in my career for sure,” Bouzkova said.
Bouzkova tipped out the 2017 US Open singles campion and former world No. 3 Sloane Stephens as the tournament’s top-seed spot.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been a top seeder at a WTA Tournament before so that’s a new experience for me just to take that all in,” Bouzkova said.
“If there’s something that I learned last season is just to embrace all the emotions and new experiences that I get to have. So, I think it’s a good thing and another step forward for me.”
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the City of Hobart was thrilled to sponsor world class tennis.
“We’re very proud to host this international event in Hobart and it really does bring the eyes of the world here,” she said.
“(It is) another wonderful opportunity to promote Hobart and to promote women’s involvement in sport.
The council’s sponsorship will provide a free community weekend for Saturday and Sunday qualifying matches.
The main draw starts on Monday, with tickets and daily match details available at www.hobartinternational.com.au
Originally published as ‘Love the people here’, Hobart International’s top seed fondness for Tasmania
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