Jelena Dokic was announced today as the first woman wildcard entrant to join the Brisbane International line-up.
Dokic will join world No.5, Ana Ivanovic, Victoria Azareka, Marion Bartoli, Daniela Hantuchova and former Australian Open champion Amelie Mauresmo in the women’s draw.
Dokic is the third Australian to be accepted into the tournament, joining Samantha Stosur and Jarmila Gajdosova.
Brisbane International Tournament Director Steve Ayles said he is delighted to have Dokic join an already strong women’s line-up.
“Dokic showed she still has what it takes last week at the Australian Open Play-off,” Ayles said.
“She is hitting the ball crisply and is regaining form and will be a real contender at the Brisbane International.”
Currently ranked No. 178, Dokic secured a wildcard into Australian Open 2009 after beating Brisbane teenager Monika Wejnert 6-7(3) 7-5 6-3 in the wildcard play-off women’s final at Melbourne Park on Sunday.
The former world No. 4 and member of the Optus Australian Fed Cup team, has steadily worked throughout 2008 to get her ranking to within the world’s top 200 for the first time since 2004.
In 2008, Dokic qualified for the WTA Tour event in Hobart where she reached the second round, she won three ITF titles, her first since 2002, and reached the semifinal of a fourth.
Tickets are now on sale for the Brisbane International through Ticketek, with reserved stadium seating starting at just $24.90.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au or 1300 888 104.