Commonwealth medallist Sally Peers has earned the final women’s Brisbane International wildcard.
Ferguson will join fellow Australians Samantha Stosur, Jarmila Groth, Anastasia Rodionova, Jelena Dokic and Sophie Ferguson in the main draw.
On her wildcard announcement today, Peers said she cannot wait to make her main draw debut at the Brisbane International.
“I am really excited to get a wildcard into the Brisbane International,” Peers said.
“I just got into Brisbane this morning, so it is great news to arrive to.
“I have played qualifying before but this wildcard gives me a great opportunity to play some high ranked WTA players and hopefully, if I get the chance, to play on Pat Rafter Arena. It looks amazing.
“Whoever I draw I will just go out and play my best tennis.”
On her development over the past year, which has seen her ranking rise from No.348 year ending in 2009 to her current ranking of No.154, Peers said “I think I have really started to believe in my game over the past two years.”
“I have been working with Louise Pleming at the AIS and this has really helped me develop my game and confidence.”
Brisbane International Tournament Director Steve Ayles said Peers has had a great year in 2010.
“Sally is coming off the back of a bronze medal in singles and a gold medal in doubles, with Anastasia Rodionova, at the Delhi Commonwealth Games,” Ayles said.
“She has recorded a career-high ranking of No.153 in November this year and she has really developed her game with three ITF finals appearances in 2010 in Mildura, Ipswich, Bundaberg and winning her way through qualifying into the US Open where she met last year’s Brisbane International champion and the No.3 seed Kim Clijsters in the first round.
“Sally joins five other Australians in the women’s main draw which demonstrates the depth of women’s tennis in Australia at the moment.
“It also gives Australian tennis fans a lot to cheer about in January when all these girls take to court in front of a home crowd.
Peers will join world No.6 Stosur, No.13 Shahar Peer, No.15 Nadia Petrova and No.16 Marion Bartoli in the women’s draw.
Ferguson previously played at the Brisbane international in 2010 where she made the second round of qualifying.
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.