Tournament fave to make Hobart International return
One of the Hobart International’s stalwarts and a former winner will grace the tournament again next month after accepting a wildcard.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Tournament favourite Sofia Kenin will return to the event which effectively kickstarted her career after accepting a wildcard entry into the Hobart International.
The American former world no. 4, who claimed her first WTA title in Tasmania in 2019, is the second wildcard announced after Australian stalwart Daria Saville for the tournament beginning January 6.
The 2020 Australian Open champion is now ranked 81 in the world, and holds five singles titles.
“Kenin captured her maiden WTA crown here at the Hobart International which kickstarted a golden two-year period for her,” tournament director Darren Sturgess said.
“We see this often happen for players who come to Hobart and then hit the world stage afterwards, like the last champion Emma Navarro, who is now world number eight.
“Sonya, as she prefers to be known, loves coming to Hobart as she has great memories here, loves the tournament and loves to explore Hobart. Players love the laid-back environment of Hobart ahead of the Australian Open.”
Belgium’s two-time Hobart champion Elise Mertens is the highest ranked player in the field at no. 33, with Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska (34), American young gun Amanda Anisimova (36), Poland’s Magda Linette (38), and Kiwi Lulu Sun (40) the other players currently in the world’s top 40.
Sun announced herself on the world stage when she made the quarter finals at Wimbledon this year.
Former top 20 star Saville made the most of a Hobart wildcard last year by making the semi finals.
She defeated Kenin on the way to the last four in the round of 16.
“I can’t wait to play in front of this incredible crowd in Hobart,” Saville said last week.
“I had the best support last year, so I really hope that this time around it’s going to be as fun.”
The action begins on the weekend of January 4-5 with the free Family Fun Weekend, with qualifying matches also taking place before the main draw begins on Monday, January 6.
Tickets start at $10 for the After Five Ground Pass, up to premium reserved seating.
Kicking for Kids: Footy identities embark on charity goal-kicking marathon
Brad Cox-Goodyer has virtually done it all in Tassie footy, but kicking goals for 24 hours isn’t one. Hear from two Launceston identities on why they’re attempting an ‘unofficial’ world record this weekend for charity.
Pics: Canes stars mingle with northern fans on trophy tour
A Hurricanes player has revealed how he was happy to park the ego and play a support role for devastating hitter Mitch Owen, as the title-winning players mingled with Launceston fans on Tuesday. SEE THE PICTURES HERE.