Tennis Update: Marinko Matosevic given wildcard for Brisbane event
A surprised Marinko Matosevic was granted a wildcard for the season opening event at Brisbane today. Having earned a wildcard into the Australian Open a few days back, Matosevic was granted the second wildcard at the 2011 Brisbane
International.
The rising Croat star earned a wildcard entry into the prestigious Australian Open for the second straight year. Defeating Peter Luczak in the wild card play offs, Matosevic secured a spot for himself in the main draw at the Grand
Slam event. Given his performance in the playoffs, the Brisbane event administration decided to give him the second wildcard at the event. The first wildcard entry at the event was John Millman.
Talking about the newest addition to the event, Davis Cup captain Todd Woodbridge said, “Marinko has had a great year in 2010 making his debut in the Davis Cup squad and winning the Australian Open wildcard playoff earlier this
month. He has lifted his ranking from No.186 to No.138, in the last year, and has become a much more professional player on and off the court in the last twelve months. He has had great form with two Challenger wins in Aptos, California, against Donald Young,
a higher ranked American and in Calabasas, California, against another higher ranked American, Ryan Sweeting. Marinko really deserves this opportunity and I know he will make the most of it.”
Matosevic had a successful season in 2010. Ranked 144 in the world, Matosevic was able to secure a wildcard into the 2010 Australian Open although he exited the event in the first round. He then entered the Indian Wells event as
a qualifier. He made it into the second round moving past Michael Llodra in the first. He was ousted by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the second. 2010 won Matosevic his first Challenger title of the career. Defeating Donald Young, Matosevic won his first challenger
tournament in 2010, the Comerica Bank Challenger. His second challenger tournament win followed a while after at the Calabasas where he beat Ryan Sweeting.
Ecstatic about receiving the wildcard, Matosevic said, “It is obviously fantastic news to receive a Brisbane International wildcard. I thought I was a chance after my win in Melbourne but definitely didn’t expect it. I sat down
with Todd at the end of 2009 and we discussed my game and changed a few things. We talked about my professionalism, the mental side of my game and being more positive on the court like I am off the court. Following this I have had some good results and had
the chance to learn from the likes of Lleyton [Hewitt], Peter [Luczak], Todd [Woodbridge], John [Fitzgerald] and Pat [Rafter] at the Davis Cup in Cairns, which really helped me learn about pressure situations. The Brisbane International will be the perfect
preparation for the summer ahead. It has great facilities, a good ground and hot and humid conditions similar to those at the Australian Open. It will also give me the opportunity to compete against some strong players. I made the final round of qualifiers
last year and really appreciate this opportunity to take it further in 2011.”
Matosevic will be joining Robin Soderling, Andy Roddick, Fernando Verdasco and Marco Baghdatis in the main draw at the event.
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