Sydney NSW, Australia, 2 January 2014 | apiainternational.com.au

Australians Marinko Matosevic and Matt Ebden have today been awarded wildcards into the main draw at Apia International Sydney 2014.

The top 70 talents will join an impressive line-up at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre on 5-11 January, headlined by world No.5 Juan Martin del Potro, powerful Pole Jerzy Janowicz and defending champion and compatriot Bernard Tomic.

“The Apia International is a great event, I love the atmosphere and the hospitality is second to none,” Matosevic said.

“It’s a great opportunity to receive the wildcard into the Apia International, with the tournament having such a strong field.”

Matosevic is currently enjoying at stunning run at the Brisbane International, having defeated two higher-ranked opponents en route to the quarterfinals where he will face tennis legend Roger Federer.

“I’ve trained hard in my off-season and it’s paying off here in Brisbane. I’m happy with the way I’m playing and looking forward to continuing it in Sydney,” Matosevic said.

The Victorian is Australia’s third-highest ranked player, finishing 2013 ranked 62nd after a season highlighted by a semifinal finish at the ATP event in Memphis, and ATP quarterfinals at Washington DC and the Montreal Masters.

Ebden sits not far behind Matosevic in the rankings at No.68, and like his countryman, enjoyed an impressive week in Brisbane to reach the second round.

“It was good to get the first tournament of the year underway in Brisbane, but I want to be playing my best tennis in Sydney and use it as great preparation for the Australian Open the week after,” Ebden said.

“I am really looking forward to getting to Sydney for the Apia International. It’s always one of my favourite tournaments of the year. My parents now live in Sydney, so it feels a lot like home, and I am looking forward to getting out in front of the crowd who have always supported all the Australians in the past.”

The Western Australian was ranked 135th as recently as September before enjoying a purple patch on the ATP Challenger circuit; in his eight events since the US Open, Ebden won three, reached the finals at two more and compiled a win-loss record of 29-5, helping to slash his ranking to its current mark.

Apia International Sydney single session tickets and series packages are now available. One ticket provides access to every court with prices starting from just $20 for adults and $10 for children.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au/booksydney or by calling 1300 888 104.

For further tournament information please visit www.apiainternational.com.au, and stay connected @sydneytennis and via www.facebook.com/sydneyinternational.