For the third year in a row Marcos Baghdatis will start his Australian Open preparation in Brisbane.
Announced today Brisbane International Tournament Director Steve Ayles said Baghdatis is a great addition to the Brisbane International.
“Marcos is one of the friendliest players on the tour and it will be fantastic to welcome him back in 2011,” Ayles said.
“The Cypriot is much loved by fans and fellow players and his exuberant and festive on-court presence and natural talent will make him a crowd favourite again this January.
“Add to this his growing form, which has seen him defeat both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in 2010 and we not only have an entertaining player but one that has a real chance of winning the Brisbane international singles title.
“His return to the Brisbane International for the third year in a row is another great endorsement of the tournament, its facilities and all the hard work that is done behind the scenes.
“Our aim is to provide spectators with the best possible event and create a tournament that improves year on year and with Marcos we have another jewel in the crown for 2011,” Ayles continues.
Baghdatis said he is excited to starting his year off in Brisbane and preparing for the Australian Open in Queensland.
“I like Australia, I like playing there, so for sure [the Brisbane International] would be a great preparation [for the Open]…I will look forward to playing there,” Baghdatis said.
“It’s good to play some matches before a Grand Slam. I think it’s an advantage.
“ It’s playing matches. It’s playing matches on the same surface. When you start the season, you don’t have a lot of matches on your belt, so you need matches. I think before the Australian Open you need more matches than another Grand Slam because you didn’t have those matches before.
“You know, you’re coming out from lots of practice, lots of gym work. You need some matches. “
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 Cairns,” said Ms Bligh.
“I’m delighted Marcos Baghdatis will be headlining in 2011 – I know Queenslanders will be out in force to cheer him on during the tournament.”
In 2010 Baghdatis added a fourth ATP title win to his achievements winning the Medibank International Sydney.
The Australian Open finalist has defeated Federer at Indian Wells in March and Nadal at Cincinnati in August 2010.
He made the final of Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington and has pushed his ranking to No.18, the first time he has been in the top twenty since May 2008.
Baghdatis has also reached the semifinals of three ATP World Tour events in 2010, in Dubai, Munich and Cincinnati.
Brisbane International 2011 series packages go on sale on 6 October with single sessions available from 13 October. Ground passes for the event are $12.90. Entry to qualifying, Friday 31 December and Saturday 1 January 2011, is free of charge.
For the third year in a row Marcos Baghdatis will start his Australian Open preparation in Brisbane.
Announced today Brisbane International Tournament Director Steve Ayles said Baghdatis is a great addition to the Brisbane International.
“Marcos is one of the friendliest players on the tour and it will be fantastic to welcome him back in 2011,” Ayles said.
“The Cypriot is much loved by fans and fellow players and his exuberant and festive on-court presence and natural talent will make him a crowd favourite again this January.
“Add to this his growing form, which has seen him defeat both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in 2010 and we not only have an entertaining player but one that has a real chance of winning the Brisbane international singles title.
“His return to the Brisbane International for the third year in a row is another great endorsement of the tournament, its facilities and all the hard work that is done behind the scenes.
“Our aim is to provide spectators with the best possible event and create a tournament that improves year on year and with Marcos we have another jewel in the crown for 2011,” Ayles continues.
Baghdatis said he is excited to starting his year off in Brisbane and preparing for the Australian Open in Queensland.
“I like Australia, I like playing there, so for sure [the Brisbane International] would be a great preparation [for the Open]…I will look forward to playing there,” Baghdatis said.
“It’s good to play some matches before a Grand Slam. I think it’s an advantage.
“ It’s playing matches. It’s playing matches on the same surface. When you start the season, you don’t have a lot of matches on your belt, so you need matches. I think before the Australian Open you need more matches than another Grand Slam because you didn’t have those matches before.
“You know, you’re coming out from lots of practice, lots of gym work. You need some matches. “
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 Cairns,” said Ms Bligh.
“I’m delighted Marcos Baghdatis will be headlining in 2011 – I know Queenslanders will be out in force to cheer him on during the tournament.”
In 2010 Baghdatis added a fourth ATP title win to his achievements winning the Medibank International Sydney.
The Australian Open finalist has defeated Federer at Indian Wells in March and Nadal at Cincinnati in August 2010.
He made the final of Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington and has pushed his ranking to No.18, the first time he has been in the top twenty since May 2008.
Baghdatis has also reached the semifinals of three ATP World Tour events in 2010, in Dubai, Munich and Cincinnati.
Brisbane International 2011 series packages go on sale on 6 October with single sessions available from 13 October. Ground passes for the event are $12.90.
Entry to qualifying, Friday 31 December and Saturday 1 January 2011, is free of charge.