Former world No.4 and Australian favourite Jelena Dokic will join the Brisbane International line-up in 2011.
Named today as the first confirmed wildcard, Dokic will be the fourth Australian woman in the 32-player main draw joining fellow Australian’s Samantha Stosur, Jarmila Groth and Anastasia Rodiovova.
This will be Dokic’s third appearance at the Brisbane International and the talented right hander will be looking to improve in 2011 after a 2010 season that has been plagued by injury and fatigue.
Brisbane International Tournament Director Steve Ayles said he is excited to welcome Dokic back to the tournament.
“Jelena has been a wonderful competitor in the tournament in recent years and she is a crowd favourite in Brisbane,” Ayles said.
“This will be her third year at the event and I know she will be pushing to return to form in front of an Australian crowd.
“Jelena is a passionate player and will be a real surprise card in the draw. When she is playing well she is cable of beating anyone and I am looking forward to seeing what she can bring in January.
The emotional Dokic story captivated audiences around the world in 2009.
Following the Brisbane International, Dokic made a dramatic run into her fourth quarterfinal at the Australian Open which assured her return to the top 100 for the first time since 2003.
Dokic is currently ranked No.137 in the world and has won three ITF events prior to the US Open in 2010 in Bucharest, Contrexeville and Vancouver.
Stosur, Groth, Rodionova and Dokic will all be battling it out in Brisbane to prove themselves prior to the Fed Cup selection for the Australia and Italy World Group tie in February.
Brisbane International 2011 series packages and single sessions are on sale now.
Ground passes for the event are $12.90 with the qualifying event on Friday 31 December and Saturday 1 January 2011 remaining free.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au/brisbaneinternational or call 1300 888 104.