Media Release Monday 17 November 2008

Home , 2008 Australian Open, ATP Tour, Marko Djokovic

media release Monday 17 November 2008

Double trouble comes to Brisbane

There will be two Djokovic’s playing in Brisbane this January, Brisbane International organisers announced today.

The recently crowned Masters Cup champion, Novak Djokovic will be joined by his younger brother, Marko Djokovic, in the doubles for the first time on Australian soil.

The pair will join reigning French Open women’s champion Ana Ivanovic and ATP world number seven Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at what is shaping up as a star-studded inaugural event. Other confirmed contenders are Na Li and Daniela Hantuchova in the women’s draw, Marcos Baghdatis, Gael Monfils, Richard Gasquet and Mardy Fish in the men’s draw and the world number one doubles pair Cara Black and Liezel Huber.

More announcements are expected to be made before the player cut off date on the 21 November.

Brisbane International Tournament Director Steve Ayles said “Novak will use the event as a key component in the preparation for his Grand Slam title defense while Marko is keen for the experience of top level tennis.

“It will be a great opportunity for all tennis fans to see the pair in action and with last weekend marking 50 days out from the start of the tournament there is no better time to snap up some tickets,” Ayles said.

Marko Djokovic first appeared on the junior ITF circuit in September 2006.

Best known for a similar technique to that of his brother and for his cheering in the player box at the Australian Open 2008 , Marco made his ATP tour debut in September this year where he received a wild card entry into the main draw of the Thailand Open.

Marko currently trains in Germany, as Novak did, and was granted a wildcard entry into the 2008 Australian Open Junior Championship.

Tickets are now on sale for the Brisbane International through Ticketek , with reserved stadium seating starting at just $24.90.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au or 1300 888 104.

For further media information, please contact: Darren Pearce, Manager – Media, Tennis Australia: +61 3 9914 4230, 0409 506 812 Brooke Boger, Media & PR, Tennis Australia: + 61 3 9914 4138, 0401 561 354 Prue Ryan, Media & PR, Tennis Australia: +61 3 9914 4175, 0419 308 369

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Brisbane International 2009, presented by Mirvac in association with Queensland Events, will take place at the Queensland Tennis Centre, Brisbane from January 4 to 11, 2009.

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