RELATED – APIS CANBERRA INTERNATIONAL RELOCATES TO BENDIGO
Thanasi Kokkinakis (SA) and Alison Bai (ACT) have confirmed they will begin their year at the Apis Canberra International taking place at the Canberra Tennis Centre from 6-12 January 2020.
Kokkinakas, will line up for the ATP Challenger 125 event which offers over USD$160,000 in prizemoney and 125 ATP points for the champion.
The world No.200 will be making his first appearance in the capital.
“I’m really looking forward to starting my year off in Canberra. I haven’t been to Canberra since I attended a training camp there as a junior and I’ve heard great things about the facilities at the Canberra Tennis Centre.
“For me the main goal heading into the Australian summer is to stay healthy and get some quality matches under my belt. I’ve put in the hard work the past few months and I’m feeling great and ready to get back out on the court.
“I’m anticipating the field is going to be very strong in Canberra and it is a great chance for me to test myself against some of the best players in the world.”
Local hope, Bai will appear in the women’s USD$25,000 ITF World Tennis Tour event.
Bai reached a career high doubles ranking of No.139 this year and played in numerous WTA doubles events in 2019.
The ACT’s top female will be looking to draw upon some home town support for the event.
“I am definitely looking forward to it, it’s always really nice to have a tournament in your backyard. Now especially leading up to the Australian Open, it’s definitely going to be more exciting.
“To have the event during January when it’s actually the summer of tennis, hopefully we’ll get people more excited and come down and have a hit,” Bai added.
Tennis ACT CEO and Apis Canberra International Tournament Director, Kim Kachel is looking forward to seeing Kokkinakis and Bai in action.
“We are thrilled to welcome Thanasi to the capital for the first time and are sure the Canberra community will get right behind him.
“Thanasi is one of the most exciting young talents on the ATP Tour and has proven he has what it takes to beat the best in the world, posting victories over Roger Federer (SUI) and Milos Raonic (CAN).
“Alison posted her first top 100 victory early this year at the Hobart International on her way to qualifying for her first WTA singles event.
“Alison is an amazing ambassador for tennis in Canberra and has posted some great results here, making the semifinals of the $USD60,000 event in 2017 and earlier this year winning the doubles title at the ACT Claycourt International #2.“
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