{"id":4354,"date":"2013-12-02T08:39:19","date_gmt":"2013-12-01T22:39:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/tas\/?p=4354"},"modified":"2013-12-02T08:39:19","modified_gmt":"2013-12-01T22:39:19","slug":"martina-hingis-to-feature-at-hobart-international","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tennis.com.au\/tas\/news\/2013\/12\/02\/martina-hingis-to-feature-at-hobart-international","title":{"rendered":"Martina Hingis to feature at Hobart International"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former world No.1 and three-time Australian Open<\/strong> champion Martina Hingis<\/strong> is set to play at Hobart International 2014<\/strong> in a special exhibition match on Sunday 5 January.<\/p>\n

The 33-year-old will be joined by fellow Swiss and current world No.1 junior Belinda Bencic<\/strong> for a friendly match on centre court at the Domain Tennis Centre.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am very much looking forward to coming to Hobart,\u201d said Hingis, who holds 43 WTA career singles titles including five Grand Slam titles.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a lot of happy memories from down under and I am sure that my time in Hobart will be another one to add to the list.\u201d<\/p>\n

It will be Hingis\u2019 first ever trip to Hobart: \u201cI have been to many places in the world but have yet to come to Hobart. I have heard great things about the event and I look forward to being a part of a fun night of tennis there,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Hobart International Tournament Director, Mark Handley<\/strong>, is thrilled to welcome the Swiss tennis great to the island state and offer fans this value added opportunity.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s an historical first for the event and we\u2019re excited to welcome Martina to Tasmania for this special exhibition match.<\/p>\n

“Martina is one of the most decorated female tennis players of all time, it will be her first visit to our great state and her first opportunity to play in front of her fans here.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will add Martina and Belinda\u2019s \u2018Master versus The Apprentice\u2019 exhibition match to our schedule on Sunday 5 January with no extra cost to the normal price of admission,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Premier of Tasmania, The Hon. Lara Giddings<\/strong>, is excited Hingis is coming to town.<\/p>\n

“Martina Hingis is one of the all-time greats in world tennis and to have her playing in Tasmania is an absolute coup for the Hobart International and a powerful drawcard for tennis fans,\u201d Ms Giddings said.<\/p>\n

“Many people, like me, who have watched the progression of Martina\u2019s stellar career over the years probably never thought they would get the chance to see her playing on Tasmanian soil.<\/p>\n

“The intimate setting of the Hobart International gives spectators a unique opportunity to get close to the action in a way that larger tournaments just cannot offer,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n

In another plus for the event, Hingis will also be the Hobart International Kids Tennis Day<\/strong> ambassador and will open the day\u2019s festivities on Saturday 4 January.<\/p>\n

Hobart International will take place at the Domain Tennis Centre from 5-11 January 2014.<\/p>\n

Hobart International 2014 tickets are on sale now from Ticketek. Tickets can be purchased:<\/p>\n