Radek Stepanek ready to begin the 2011 season in Brisbane
32-year-old Radek Stepanek will make a comeback on the ATP tour next week, by playing at the 3rd edition of the Brisbane International tennis tournament, where he finished runner-up to Andy Roddick last year. The professional
tennis ace from Czech Republic won the Brisbane title back in 2009.
The Monte Carlo resident, who made his debut on the ATP tour back in 1996, finished the 2010 season ranked number 62 in the South African Airways ATP list. The Czech contender dropped to 62 in mid-2010 because of “mononucleosis”;
however, he still managed to post some impressive wins during the last six weeks of the 2010 season on the tour.
In one of his recent interviews, the right-hander, while commenting on his form and this year’s plans, said that he is fit and healthy to start his 2011 campaign at next week’s Brisbane International.
While talking to the media during a practice session, the Czech, who achieved his career high ranking of world number eight, back in 2006, reflected, “In the off-season I was pretty happy with the way I was working out. Finally
I was 100 per cent healthy and was able to practise 100 per cent. The next two weeks will show me where I am standing before the Australian Open but I am looking forward to it and feeling good.”
Seeded eighth, Stepanek picked up the Brisbane International title in its opening year in Queensland, back in 2009, after getting the better of Fernando Verdasco in the final in straight sets. He started his 2010 season as well
by taking part in the Brisbane event as a defending champion. The right-hander did well to make his way into his second final in a row where he faced American Andy Roddick for his title defence. However, Roddick dashed all his hopes to the ground by posting
a two-setter victory over Stepanek. The final match score was 6–7(2), 6–7(7). In the doubles contest, Radek paired up with Tomas Berdych to advance into the quarters before falling at the hands of ultimate winners Marc Gicquel and Jeremy Chardy.
“It feels great to be back in Brisbane; my track record here is so far pretty good. I always look forward to coming here and it is a great place to start the year. I feel good here with such a nice facility. Winning the opening
tournament here was something special and I am always pleased to be here. I am having a great time here; it is a very relaxed tournament, everything is close and I think the Tournament Director does a great job here with taking care of the players,” said the
Czech tennis player.
Top Swedish tennis ace Robin Soderling, who is currently ranked number five in the world, will lead the main draw of the event as the top seeded player. Seeded second, World number eight, Andy Roddick will also take part in the
event to defend his title. Roddick confirmed his participation into the main draw of the tournament earlier this week.
Stepanek is also joined by another Top 10 player, Fernando Verdasco, who is currently ranked number nine on the ATP singles rankings.
Other players who take part in the event include Roddick’s compatriot Mardy Fish, Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, Spanish tennis player Feliciano Lopez, German Florian Mayer and Uzbek Denis Istomin. Apart from these, there are three
Australian wildcard entrants also, Marinko Matosevic, John Millman and Bernard Tomic.
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