Brisbane International Tennis - Australian Open Series

Millman and Ball to contest Brisbane International

brisbaneinternational.com.au Tuesday 29 December 2009 Comments

Talented Queenslander John Millman’s excellent form this summer has earned him a wildcard into the Brisbane International.

Tennis Australia’s national selectors granted Millman and Davis Cup regular Carsten Ball wildcards into the men’s field leaving just one wildcard remaining. It is expected to be announced within the next day or two.

“John’s efforts on the Pro Tour and his performances in the Wildcard Play-off at Melbourne Park earlier this month got him over the line,” Davis Cup coach and national selector Todd Woodbridge explained.  

“He has lifted his ranking more than 250 places (from 564 to 307) in the last 12 months and deserves this opportunity.”

Millman is coached by former Pat Rafter mentor Gary Stickler and the Brisbane 20-year-old’s success on the Pro Tour this summer included winning a Futures event in Kalgoorlie and making the final of similar events in Esperance and Darwin.

Brisbane International Tournament Director Steve Ayles welcomed the local addition to the main draw.

“What a great opportunity for a young Queenslander to show what he can do in front of his home-town crowd,” Ayles said.

“John has overcome some injury woes and seems to be really hitting his straps. His addition adds a strong local flavour to the event.”

Woodbridge said Ball had enjoyed a breakthrough year.

“Carsten made his first ATP World Tour final in Los Angeles and won his way through qualies at the US Open to the second round before losing a quality match against Novak Djokovic,” Woodbridge said.

The 198cm Ball, son of former Davis Cup player Sid Ball, was Australia’s top junior in 2005 and has lifted his ranking from outside 200 at the start of the year to a career high 123 in October. He’s currently ranked 134.

Ayles said Ball’s quality was no secret and that tennis fans would enjoy his highly-rated big left-handed serve.

Tickets to the Brisbane International continue to outsell last year with many of the big international tennis names starting to arrive to prepare for the start of a new international tennis year.

“There is a real buzz around town already,” Ayles said. “We had such a great event last year but the Brisbane International 2010 is already shaping up to be potentially bigger and better than last year.”

The men’s wildcards will join world No.6 Andy Roddick , reigning champion Radek Stepanek, fellow Czech Tomas Berdych, Frenchmen Gael Monfils and Richard Gasquet, and crowd favourites James Blake and Marcos Baghdatis in the men’s draw.

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.

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