Adelaide, 10 December 2012 | worldtennischallenge.com

In a coup for tennis fans, tournament organisers today announced three top 20 players will compete in the 2013 World Tennis Challenge from 8 to 10 January at Memorial Drive Tennis Centre.

World ranked No.11 Nicolas Almagro has been confirmed to replace Marinko Matosovic [49], Australia’s top ranked men’s player.

The 27-year old Spaniard Almagro said “I’m very much looking forward to playing in the World Tennis Challenge in Adelaide.

“For me, the opportunity to play some great tennis against some of the world’s best, as well as the chance to play alongside tennis legends is a perfect lead in to the Australian Open.”

The No.3 Spaniard (behind world No.2 Nadal, No.5 Ferrer) now completes the current player field, which boasts Alexandr Dolgopolov [18], Stanislas Wawrinka [17] and Viktor Troicki [38].

World Tennis Challenge Co-Tournament Director Mark Woodforde said “The 2013 current player line-up is sensational for the event.  To have three in the top 20 is the strongest field we’ve had and it will certainly make for incredible tennis at Memorial Drive.”

“We’ve been talking to Nicolas Almagro for a while as he had indicated his interest in coming to Adelaide as part of his preparation for the Australian Open.  For him it was about having access to playing against the calibre of other three current players – as well as enjoy the matches with the legends of the game. “

“Matosovic has decided his best course of action prior to the Australian Open is to try to gain ATP rankings points and he will now play in Sydney where we wish him the best of luck.” said Woodforde.

Almagro, the 2012 French Open quarterfinalist has won 12 singles titles with 2011 being his most successful year to date with a career-high three ATP World Tour titles from five finals, all on clay.

Crowds are set to again sell out in 2013 with the recent announcements of Martina Hingis, Martina Navratilova, Mats Wilander, Pat Cash, Yannick Noah, Henri Leconte, Mansour Bahrami, Stan Wawrinka, Alex Dolgopolov, Viktor Troicki  and Nicolas Almagro all featuring in the player line-up for 2013.

The introduction of the women will see the format change from previous years to ensure spectators have an opportunity to watch Navratilova and Hingis play on court each night.

The 2013 World Tennis Challenge will take place at Memorial Drive Tennis Centre, Adelaide, from 8 to 10 January 2013.

World Tennis Challenge 2013 tickets went on sale at 9:00 am (AEST) on Monday 3 September 2012.

Tickets for the event start from $5.00 for children and $20.00 for adults and can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au  or call 13 28 49.

For further tournament information on how to participate in the WTC Be Active Challenge please visit www.worldtennischallenge.com  and select the ‘Play Tennis’ tab.

World Tennis Challenge is proudly sponsored by the South Australian Government, through Events South Australia.