Adelaide, 18 November 2010 | Tennis SA

In a coup for tournament organisers, Ivan Ljubicic will partner former tennis great Ivan Lendl for the International Team at the World Tennis Challenge, 11–13 January 2011.

WTC Co-Tournament Director Mark Woodforde believes Ljubicic and Lendl will form a formidable team at Australia’s most innovative event.

“Lendl is here to win and he is really excited that Ivan has agreed to partner him on the International team,” Woodforde said.

“With only one player left to announce, we could not be more happy with the calibre of players we have on board so far this year – it’s going to make for an amazing event comprising  great on-court entertainment and, of course, some incredible and history making tennis.

“The pairing of Ivan and Ivan will surely make the International team the one to beat for this year’s World Tennis Challenge title.

“The former No.3 is currently ranked No.17 on the ATP World Tour and the Croatian has finished in the top 50 for the past 10 years.

Ljubicic is a winner of nine career ATP titles and has amassed more than $9 million in career prize money. He has also led Croatia in Davis Cup for more than a decade and holds a 36-18 Davis Cup win-loss record.

Lendl and Ljubicic will be tough competition for crowd favourites John McEnroe and James Blake who make up Team America.

Sell-out crowds are expected in 2011 with Lendl to face former rival John McEnroe. Both share a record of 12 year-end world championships, and the rivalry still remains fierce between the two players.

With Henri Leconte and Michael Llodra confirmed for Team Europe and crowd favourite Pat Cash forming half of Team Australia, there is just one player still to be announced – a current day Australian player who will partner Cash.