15 October 2010 | Tennis Tasmania

Hobart will host the World Group first-round tie between Australia and Italy next February.
 
Announced Wednesday, the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas will be held at Domain Tennis Centre on 5-6 February 2011, the first time a Fed Cup tie has been held in Hobart.

Hobart won the right to host the tie after some intense competition from around Australia.

Tennis Australia’s Manager Major Events Steve Ayles, said “that due to the quality of the bids and the interest in this upcoming tie the decision was extremely difficult.”  

“Hobart was judged as the best possible host of the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas due to its world-class facilities which have been recently upgraded as part of the $4.65million redevelopment that has been funded by the state government.

“They also have Plexicushion courts, similar to those at the Australian Open and the Australian Open Series events, and have extensive experience running world-class events such as the Moorilla Hobart International.

“Hobart is the perfect location for the Australian Fed Cup Team to take on the Fed Cup No.1 seeds, Italy, next year.”

General Manager Tennis Tasmania Michael Roberts said he was delighted with the outcome.

“Hobart has never hosted a Fed Cup tie,” Roberts said.

“This is a huge achievement particularly as the Australian Fed Cup team is competing in the World Group and have a chance of winning the title this year.”

“It will bring the likes of Australia’s No.1 player, Samantha Stosur and French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, two of the top 10 women on the WTA Tour, to Hobart and give the city an amazing opportunity to showcase its many attractions.

“Hobart was able to secure an event of this calibre due to the major contribution that the state government has made to tennis in this state.

“Over the past two years the centre has undergone a total rebuild to bring the stadium up to international standards. With two new general public stands currently being completed to compliment the corporate stand built in 2009 the Domain Tennis Centre will have a capacity of 2,500 and be one of the best small stadiums in Australia .”

“By supporting this development the government has enabled us to provide world-class facilities for players attending the Moorilla Hobart International and also attract new events such as this Fed Cup World Group tie.

Australian Fed Cup captain David Taylor said he and the team are looking forward to their clash in Hobart.

“There was never going to be an easy opponent in the World Group,” Taylor said

“Italy has had a tremendous record in Fed Cups and are in another final this year.  They are a champion team and, like the Australian team, all their players are passionate about playing for their country.

“We are looking forward to getting to Hobart in 2011 and playing at the new world-class facilities they have just completed.

The girls and I are particularly looking forward to having a passionate and supportive Tasmanian crowd cheering us on in February next year.”

The World Group tie against Italy in 2011 will be the first time Australia has competed in the World Group since 2004.

Australia has a 5-0 record over Italy in Fed Cup and has never lost a rubber to the Italians. The two nations last met in1988 when the competition was a week-long event.

Australia is back in the World Group after defeating Ukraine 5-0 in last April’s play-offs to secure its place in the elite eight and has won its past eight Fed Cup ties.

Italy is the 2006 and 2009 Fed Cup champion and is bidding for a third title in the 2010 final against USA in San Diego. The Italians have won six of their past seven ties away and have appeared in four of the past five Fed Cup finals.

Australia and Italy are two of just four nations to have competed in every Fed Cup.

Other nations that are due to meet in the World Group ties are Russia v France, Slovak Republic v Czech Republic and Belgium v USA.

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