Brisbane attempt to lure big names
THE Brisbane International is at match point in bids to bring Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic, winners of 35 grand slam titles between them, back to Queensland this summer.
Tennis industry sources say Djokovic is strongly considering playing the Brisbane event, which starts on December 31, and ending a nine-year absence from the Queensland Tennis Centre.
News Corp reported on October 4 that Djokovic, winner of 12 grand slam titles, had decided to play in Australia only before the Australian Open and was in talks with the Brisbane International.
The Serbian has played the ATP Doha tournament in each of the past three years, but the bigger appearance fee budget of organisers there will not see him play there.
Brisbane tournament director Geoff Quinlan declined to comment on the progress of talks with representatives of Djokovic, who has not played a tournament since July to allow an elbow injury to fully heal.
Djokovic would boost an event which has already secured world No.1 Rafael Nadal and No.3 Andy Murray.
“We’ll have some more grand slam champions to announce in the coming weeks,’’ Quinlan said.
Williams last played in Brisbane in 2014 and was announced by Australian Open officials on Tuesday as an expected entrant.