The 2009 Brisbane International has been crowned 2009 Queensland Sport Event of the Year at the 15th Annual Queensland Sports Awards.
Held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, the tournament joins the likes of State of Origin, the Bledisloe Cup and an Ashes Test match as winners of the prestigious award.
As a special feature of the program, 150 sporting stars were also inducted into the inaugural Queensland Sport Hall of Fame including Wendy Turnbull, Roy Emerson, Ken Fletcher, Rod Laver, Mal Anderson, Ashley Cooper and Pat Rafter.
Ambassador of the Brisbane International, Pat Rafter, said he was excited about the accolades.
“I was delighted to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Our state has an incredible sporting history and to be included with some of the all time legends not only my sport, but all sport, is an honour, Rafter said.
“It was also great to see the Brisbane International in its first year win the Sport Event of the Year Award.
“As an Ambassador I know it was very successful and it’s good to see both the event and our sport recognised in this regard.
“Tennis officials had to make a tough call to bring the Adelaide men’s event and Gold Coast women’s event to Brisbane.
“I think it is fair to say that decision has been vindicated and tennis in general is better for it. We have a world-class event as the Brisbane public will again see in January.”
Vice President of Tennis Australia and former President of Tennis Queensland, Ashley Cooper said he was pleased all the hard work has paid off.
“This award is recognition for all of those involved in the creation of the Brisbane International,” Cooper said.
“Some hard decisions had to be made but in the end our sport has benefited substantially as a result. The Queensland tennis public now has a world-class event at a world-class facility and it is only going to keep getting better.”
Brisbane International Tournament Director Steve Ayles said he is proud of the hard work his team has done to produce such a successful event.
It is amazing the recognition that the first Brisbane International has received,” Ayles said.
We are overjoyed at being the recipients of the 2009 Queensland Sport Event of the Year in our first year and look forward to putting on an even better event in 2010.”
The Brisbane International has confirmed four Grand Slam winners, five former No.1s, an additional 10 former top 10 players plus crowd favourites to the tournament in 2010.
The women’s draw is headlined by Grand Slam Champions, Kim Clijsters (US Open 2009 and 2005), Ana Ivanovic (French Open 2008) and Justine Henin (Australian Open 2004; French Open 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2003; and US Open 2007 and 2003), world No.2 Dinara Safina and Australia’s own Jelena Dokic.
Former US Open Champion, 2009 Wimbledon finalist and world No.6 Andy Roddick leads the men and is joined by reigning champion Radek Stepanek, fellow Czech Tomas Berdych, Frenchmen Gael Monfils and Richard Gasquet, and crowd favourites James Blake and Marcos Baghdatis.
Brisbane International 2010 series packages and single sessions are on sale now. Ground passes remain $9.90 with the qualifying event on Friday 1–2 January 2010 remaining free.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au or 1300 888 104.