Tournament Preview: Sydney 7 - 14 January 2006 MEDIBANK INTERNATIONAL 2006 The Medibank International in Sydney is one of the last tournaments in the lead-up to the Australian Open. It is a joint tournament where players of both the ATP and WTA are well and truly priming themselves for the following Grand Slam. It always has a star-studded line-up and the 2006 edition promises to be bigger and better than ever. The participants list is headed by home favourite, Hewitt, who will be playing in the city he now calls home, hoping to maintain his great record at the tournament and defend his 2005 title where he beat Czech qualifier, Ivo Minar, 7-5 6-0. Russia's Nikolay Davydenko and world number 5 will also be heading to Sydney after his best season on the circuit where he broke into the top 10 for the first time and reached the semifinals of Roland Garros and participated in the Masters Cup in Shanghai. 2002 Australian Open champion, Thomas Johansson of Sweden also joins the field along with rising French star, Richard Gasquet; popular American, James Blake and Spaniards, Tommy Robredo, Carlos Moya, Fernando Verdasco and Juan Carlos Ferrero, the last of whom received a wildcard to play after missing the sign-in deadline. World number 2, Rafael Nadal, had been down to play here as well, but was forced to withdraw due to a calf strain resulting from an ankle injury suffered in October. He is still in doubt of playing the Australian Open. Sydney's tournament is renowned for its ability to attract the top players and this year's field comprises of 6 top 20 players, including 3 from the top 5. Hewitt will be keen to perform well in front of his home crowd again however, the depth of this field is sure to provide scintilating tennis regardless of who wins. Men's qualifying takes place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 January, with main draw starting on Monday 9 January, culminating with the final on Saturday 14 January. All the action takes place at the Sydney International Tennis Centre in Olympic Park on Rod Laver Drive, just a short walk from Olympic Park Station. The official hotel is the Four Points Sheraton located at Darling Harbour. Ticketing is through Ticketek and can be done either online http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=TENNIS06, by phone 132 849 or by visiting a Ticketek agency in person. An average adult reserved seat is AU$50 for the day session and AU$25 for the night session (starting at 7.30pm). An adult unreserved seating ground pass from Monday to Thursday costs AU$20. For more detailed information on pricing, visit the official site http://www.medibankinternational.com/ under "Ticket Information". Sydney itself is the most iconic Australian city and undoubtedly one of the most iconic cities in the world. With its easily recognisable Opera House and stunning Harbour Bridge, it has played host to many huge events, namely the highly successful Olympic Games in 2000. It is a truly beautiful city with so much to see and do. Sydney.com.au has further information on this thriving metropolis so you can have the complete tennis experience at this amazing harbour city. ** Tournament Fast Facts: ** Venue: Sydney International Tennis Centre, Sydney, Australia Dates: 7 - 14 January 2006 Singles Qualifying: 32 draw Main Draw Singles: 32 Main Draw Doubles: 16 Surface: Outdoor Rebound Ace Prize money: $394 000 Tournament Director: Craig Watson ** Main Draw Entry List: ** Hewitt, Lleyton AUS Davydenko, Nikolay RUS Johansson, Thomas SWE Gasquet, Richard FRA Robredo, Tommy ESP Stepanek, Radek CZE Blake, James USA Berdych, Tomas CZE Grosjean, Sebastien FRA Andreev, Igor RUS Dent, Taylor USA Moya, Carlos ESP Verdasco, Fernando ESP Hanescu, Victor ROM Chela, Juan Ignacio ARG Srichaphan, Paradorn THA Sanguinetti, Davide ITA Mathieu, Paul-Henri FRA Malisse, Xavier BEL Serra, Florent FRA Calleri, Agustin ARG Melzer, Jurgen AUT Santoro, Fabrice FRA (WC) Ferrero, Juan Carlos ESP (WC) (WC) ** Alternates: ** Tursunov, Dmitry RUS Bjorkman, Jonas SWE Seppi, Andreas ITA Clement, Arnaud FRA Karlovic, Ivo CRO Bracciali, Daniele ITA Montañés, Albert ESP Lapentti, Nicolas ECU Mayer, Florian GER Minar, Ivo CZE Hernych, Jan CZE Spadea, Vincent USA Behrend, Tomas GER Berlocq, Carlos ARG