tennisIlove09
Nov 26th, 2003, 11:34 PM
Dokic Enters Auckland
Jelena Dokic By Adrianna Outlaw
11/26/2003
Jelena Dokic's preparation for her Australian Open return will include a trip to Auckland. The 15th-ranked Dokic has entered the ASB Classic, set for January 5-11th in Auckland, New Zealand.
Dokic is the third top-20 player to enter the $140,000 event, joining 14th-ranked Paola Suarez and 16th-ranked Anna Smashnova Pistolesi in the 32-player field. Defending champion Eleni Daniilidou, Ashley Harkleroad, Cara Black, Virginia Ruano Pascual, Emmanuelle Gagliardi, Marion Bartoli, Amy Frazier and Klara Koukalova are among the other notable names who have committed to competing in Auckland.
"The overall strength of the player list is outstanding, especially with the cut off for the main draw at 69 and the qualifying draw sitting at 105 at present, although that will move," ASB Classic director Richard Palmer said. "It's the first time ever that we've had three players inside the top 20 and with Jelena Dokic making her debut I believe the crowds are in for a great event."
After opening the 2004 season in Auckland, the 20-year-old Dokic will end her self-imposed three-year Australian exile in January as she's entered both the adidas International in Sydney and the Australian Open, which begins January 19th in Melbourne.
Born in Belgrade, Dokic and her family emigrated from Serbia to Sydney, Australia when she was 11 years old. Dokic played for Australia in the Fed Cup and in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, but her relationship with Tennis Australia officials soured as her father accused officials of "rigging" the Australian Open draw against his daughter.
Jelena Dokic By Adrianna Outlaw
11/26/2003
Jelena Dokic's preparation for her Australian Open return will include a trip to Auckland. The 15th-ranked Dokic has entered the ASB Classic, set for January 5-11th in Auckland, New Zealand.
Dokic is the third top-20 player to enter the $140,000 event, joining 14th-ranked Paola Suarez and 16th-ranked Anna Smashnova Pistolesi in the 32-player field. Defending champion Eleni Daniilidou, Ashley Harkleroad, Cara Black, Virginia Ruano Pascual, Emmanuelle Gagliardi, Marion Bartoli, Amy Frazier and Klara Koukalova are among the other notable names who have committed to competing in Auckland.
"The overall strength of the player list is outstanding, especially with the cut off for the main draw at 69 and the qualifying draw sitting at 105 at present, although that will move," ASB Classic director Richard Palmer said. "It's the first time ever that we've had three players inside the top 20 and with Jelena Dokic making her debut I believe the crowds are in for a great event."
After opening the 2004 season in Auckland, the 20-year-old Dokic will end her self-imposed three-year Australian exile in January as she's entered both the adidas International in Sydney and the Australian Open, which begins January 19th in Melbourne.
Born in Belgrade, Dokic and her family emigrated from Serbia to Sydney, Australia when she was 11 years old. Dokic played for Australia in the Fed Cup and in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, but her relationship with Tennis Australia officials soured as her father accused officials of "rigging" the Australian Open draw against his daughter.