In a coup for event organisers, Martina Hingis is returning to Adelaide and bringing Nicole Bradtke for a singles showdown at the 2014 World Tennis Challenge to be held 7 January to 9 January at Memorial Drive Tennis Centre.
To complete the current player field, world ranked 34 Jeremy Chardy has also confirmed his commitment to the 2014 event which completes the current player field to feature No.25 Jürgen Melzer, No.30 Feliciano Lopez and South Australia’s young star, 17-year old Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Hingis, a fifteen-time Grand Slam champion is excited to be returning to Adelaide.
“I am really looking forward to my return to Adelaide. Australians love their sport and Adelaide is a great place for me to come and spend a few days.” said Hingis.
Nicole Bradtke who will be making her debut in January is elated to be joining the field.
“The chance to play alongside the other players, especially the likes of Navratilova, Hingis and Austin is truly an honour, “
“Apart from the great tennis, I’m looking forward to the entertainment side of the event,”
“To play in a relaxed and fun environment with this calibre of players is a dream opportunity.” continues Bradtke, who found success with Mark Woodforde, her mixed doubles partner winning both the 1992 Australian Open and the 1992 US Open.
World Tennis Challenge Co-Tournament Director, Mark Woodforde is thrilled to be welcoming Hingis back to Adelaide in January.
“Martina Hingis and Martina Navratilova really enjoyed playing at Memorial Drive and loved the Adelaide crowd,”
“We’re delighted they are both returning, and thrilled they are both bringing their mates, tennis greats Tracy Austin and Nicole Bradtke which ensures some great women’s singles tennis.”
“The 2014 event is certainly shaping up to be a stellar year with the four women signed, plus Mats Wilander, Yannick Noah, Pat Cash, Henri Leconte and Mansour Bahrami rounding out the legend’s field.”
“Fans and Fox Sport viewers at home will be kept highly entertained with the player’s astonishing skill and unmatched hilarity from both the past and present players.” continues Mark.
Jeremy Chardy is looking forward to making his debut at Memorial Drive for the 2014 World Tennis Challenge.
“I have heard about the World Tennis Challenge and Adelaide from other tour players over the past years.
“Their feedback was very positive and so I am excited to be participating in the event.”
“I think playing alongside some of the best current players and some of the most legendary players of the game will be a great lead in to the Australian Open.” said Chardy.
World Tennis Challenge Co-Tournament Director, Roger Rasheed said the addition of Chardy is a win for Adelaide crowds.
“We will have the world ranked 25, 30 and 34 coming to Adelaide in January. These players are preparing themselves for the Australian Open and crowds will witness some top level tennis at the iconic Memorial Drive.”
“Our young gun, Thanasi Kokkinakis proved to be a great entertainer at the Hopman Cup last year. It will be great to have a young South Australian such as Thanasi in front of a home crowd interacting with the current and legend players, alongside Pat Cash in Team Australia.”
The 2014 World Tennis Challenge, celebrating its sixth anniversary in January, will feature four current ATP players and nine legends who will participate in an exhibition team event over three nights at the iconic Memorial Drive Tennis Centre, Adelaide. An iconic element to the event is that two courts are used simultaneously each night with each player playing every night.
Whilst the public participation arm of the event, the Be Active Challenge, continues to be Australia’s largest tennis participation event with over 2,000 people playing tennis throughout January in a series of events across South Australia.
Minister for Tourism Leon Bignell said the State Government had been a proud supporter of the World Tennis Challenge since the event began in 2009.
“South Australia is renowned for its world-class events and festivals and it’s great to see the World Tennis Challenge continuing to grow,” Minister Bignell said.
“We look forward to welcoming legends of the game back to our state in January and encourage locals and visitors alike to come along and enjoy the action.”
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The 2014 World Tennis Challenge will take place at Memorial Drive Tennis Centre, Adelaide, from 7 January to 9 January 2014.
In 2012 the World Tennis Challenge won the Sport SA Event of the Year award.
World Tennis Challenge 2014 tickets are now on sale. Tickets for the event start from $9.90 for children and $19.90 for adults and can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au/bookadelaide or call 13 28 49.
For further tournament information please visit www.worldtennischallenge.com.
World Tennis Challenge is presented by the South Australian Government, through Events South Australia.
Hingis vision: Available for download
For media enquiries, media kit or interview request;
Sue Hill, T: +61 8 8231 3555 /0418 822 629
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