Hobart International hanging tough

AFTER 27 years, the Hobart International is still living year by year but providing a family-friendly environment can save its future according to tournament director Darren Sturgess.

Tickets for Tasmania’s major tennis event went on sale yesterday, with the announcement that children under-14 will get in free during the week-long tournament, including finals matches.

Being held once again at the Domain Tennis Centre from January 11-18, the tournament has no guarantees about remaining at the venue for the long term.

“It’s year by year at the moment but we do have some agreements in place to keep it here for a while,” Sturgess said. “We’re in a competitive landscape and we have to be mindful of that.

“We are working really hard to put the best show on that we can and really preserve this event.”

The tournament that has drawn players such as Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin and Serena Williams in the past will still look to gain drawcards in the future. But Sturgess said providing the breeding ground for future stars is a more realistic approach for the tournament, which will announce its field six weeks out from the event.

“We have great emerging talent and such a great reputation. Out of the current top-10 WTA players on the tour at the moment eight of them have played in Hobart,” Sturgess said.

“It’s a really great field that we are able to produce and [we are able] to get the talent through to Hobart and Tasmania before going on to bigger and better things.”