Australia’s No.1 player, Samantha Stosur, and 2010 men’s singles champion Andy Roddick will headline the Brisbane International in 2011.
Video: Andy Roddick returning to the Brisbane International
Announced today at the Queensland Tennis Centre, Brisbane International Tournament Director Steve Ayles said he was delighted that Stosur would be playing in her home-town event.
“Sam is extremely excited to be returning to the Brisbane International in 2011 and we are ecstatic to have her,” Ayles said.
“She is a Queensland girl and it only seems fitting that she is back at her home tournament.
“The World No.6 inspired us all with her performance at the French Open this year and with her big serve and forehand we hope she can take it one step further this January.
“We are aiming to have a stellar line-up in 2011 and it will be great to have Australia’s No.1 ranked player leading the women’s draw.
“Our aim is to provide spectators with the best possible event and create a tournament that improves year on year and with Sam we are well on our way.
“Her return to the Brisbane International is yet another endorsement of the tournament and its facilities and we look forward to welcoming her back in January.”
On playing in the Brisbane International in 2011 Stosur said she is excited about her return to the event.
“I am really looking forward to starting off my year at the Brisbane International,” Stosur said.
“It is my home state and tournament and it will be a great way to kick off the Australian summer of tennis.
“It is going to be really fun to play in front of my family and friends and, of course, the Queensland public who have always been so supportive of me throughout my career.
“I know everyone loves their sport and particularly tennis in Brisbane and I have fond memories of playing in the tournament in its first year, in 2009.
“The crowd, staff and facilities were amazing and I have heard they are even better now.
“With any luck I will get the chance to be there on the final day of the tournament and be the first Aussie champion of the Brisbane international.”
Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, said the Brisbane International in 2011 would be one of the hottest tickets in Queensland’s Events ‘Summer Season’.
“International tennis has had a great year here in Queensland during 2010, with the success of the Brisbane International in January, followed by two Davis Cup ties, one in Brisbane and one coming up in Cairns,” said Ms Bligh.
“I’m delighted Queensland’s own Sam Stosur will be headlining in 2011 – I know Queenslanders will be out in force to cheer her on during the tournament,” she said.
Roddick returns
Former No.1, current No.9 and 2010 Brisbane International men’s singles champion, Andy Roddick, is set to return in 2011.
Brisbane International Tournament Director Steve Ayles said he was delighted the top-ranked American and Grand Slam singles champion will be returning in January.
“Andy’s return to the Brisbane International is the ultimate endorsement of the event and the city,” Ayles said.
“The defending champion’s decision to come back in 2011 validates what a great job the city and the tournament do in making the players feel at home while in Queensland.
“It also confirms that we have one of the best tournaments and facilities on the tour with players of Andy’s calibre keen to return in the lead -up to the Australian Open.
“The American will again bring personality, style and dynamic tennis to Brisbane. He is our defending champion and it only seems fitting to have the former No.1 and 2003 US Open champion the first locked in for 2011.
“We are well on our way to producing yet another incredible event with Roddick just the first of many star signings to be announced.”
Roddick said he is excited to be defending his title and returning to Brisbane in 2011.
“I really enjoyed my time in Brisbane,” Roddick said.
“I enjoyed the tournament and I feel it is the best preparation for me for the Australian Open.
“It was a big tournament for me last year just because I was coming off an extended lay-off and so I was a little anxious to get back out on the court and obviously to come away with a win was more than I expected and it was a good memory.
“I have always enjoyed my time in Australia having been to Sydney and Melbourne and Brisbane was great also. Lots of lovely Aussie people that are real nice and I have a lot of good memories [of Brisbane].
“One thing about the Aussies is they love their sport and it is no different at the Brisbane International and it is fun to participate in an environment like that.
“They have a great stadium in place, I think they were sold out most of their sessions last year, they do a great job and treat the players really well.
“Everything from the hotel to the facilities to the people working at the tournament, everything was very enjoyable. My wife enjoyed the city, which is always a big part of the decision-making process.”
Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, said the Brisbane International in 2011 would be one of the hottest tickets in Queensland Events ‘Summer Season’.
“International tennis has had a great year here in Queensland during 2010, with the success of the Brisbane International in January, followed by two Davis Cup ties, one in Brisbane and one coming up in Cairns,” said Ms Bligh.
“I’m delighted Andy Roddick will be headlining again in 2011 – I know Queenslanders will be out in force to cheer him on during the tournament,” she said.
The Brisbane International 2010 title was Roddick’s first tour final in Australia. His previous best results on Australian soil have been the semifinals at the Australian Open in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009.