Hobart, Tasmania, 28 December 2012 | Tennis Australia

Rising 16-year-old star Ashleigh Barty will contest the Moorilla Hobart International for a second time after she was awarded a wildcard today.

“I’m looking forward to returning to Hobart next week,” said Barty.

“Last year I made my WTA main draw debut at the event so I’m excited to get back to the Domain Tennis Centre and do my best.

“This year has been a big year for me. I’ve come a long way and feel like my game has improved a lot.

“It will be challenging, with some of the world’s top players competing, but I’m up for it.”

The 2011 Wimbledon junior champion has had a remarkable season in 2012.

Having started the year at world No.669, Barty finishes 2012 with a career high ranking of 175 made possible by four ITF singles and four ITF doubles titles, including a win at the $50,000 ITF tournament in Nottingham, England.

In November Barty also reached the quarterfinals of the $75,000 ITF event in Toyota, Japan.

To complement her stellar season, Barty was named Female Junior Athlete of the Year at the Newcombe Medal, Australian Tennis Awards in early December.

Tournament Director Mark Handley said he was pleased to invite another Australian tennis star to Hobart.

“It’s fantastic to have Ash in the main draw here. We are really excited to see her,” said Handley.

“Ash has worked hard this year and is making a solid transition onto the professional circuit. She is just one of two 16-year-olds with a world ranking under 200 and continues to improve.

“We hope she can use the tournament to get her 2013 season off to a great start.”

Barty will be the second Australian to compete in Hobart’s main draw after 2011 champion Jarmila Gajdosova was awarded a wildcard yesterday.

The Queenslander will play Hopman Cup, the ITF mixed teams event in Perth, before travelling to Tasmania.