Stosur Confident for Australian Open

Samantha Stosur is confident she can handle the pressure of expectation at next month's Australian Open, following her maiden major triumph in the US Open.

Currently ranked sixth in the world, Stosur has never advanced beyond the fourth round of her home grand slam.

The 27-year-old Queenslander said she had no problems with the court and conditions in Melbourne and there was no reason why she could not do well next month.

"I think if most players could choose to have a grand slam in their home country, they would want to have one, so I'm lucky that I do and we've got these great lead-up tournaments (in Brisbane and Sydney)," Stosur said.

"Obviously it's a little bit different, maybe a little more pressure and a bit more spotlight but I think I am equipped to handle it well and hopefully I can and really make the most of the opportunity."

Stosur said she would love the accolade of becoming the world's number-one ranked player but was not specifically focusing on that.

Stosur said she wanted to be more consistent in 2012 and was working on improving several aspects of her game.

She wants to try to get to the net more and finish points faster.

She has put her hand up for Fed Cup duty in February against Switzerland and is also prepared to play in all three disciplines - singles, doubles and mixed doubles - at next year's London Olympics.

Among her goals for 2012 are recording her first win over three other leading players, Victoria Azarenka, Petra Kvitova and Kim Clijsters.

Australian Open & Australian Open Series 2012 - Melbourne

Australian Open single session hospitality offers you and your guests the flexibility of selecting the tournament sessions of your choice! Whether you are entertaining clients or soaking up the atmosphere with friends, Grand Slam Select is the perfect environment for an unforgettable, fully catered tournament experience. On sale now!

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2012: MONDAY 16 - SUNDAY 29 JANUARY 2012

SPECTATORS

• A-Z Guide
• How to get there
• Maps
• Tournament Facts
• Membership

ENTERTAINMENT

• Grand Slam Oval
• Garden Square
• Schedule
• Performers

Prize Money

PRIZE Money for Australian Open 2012 Men's and Women's Singles
1st Round	$20,000
2nd Round	$33,300
3rd Round	$54,625
4th Round	$109,250
Quarter finalist	$218,500
Semi finalist	$437,000
Runners-up	$1,150,000
Winners	$2,300,000

PRIZE Money for Australian Open Men's and Women's Doubles (per pair)
1st Round	$9,600
2nd Round	$17,200
3rd Round	$31,500
Quarter finalist	$56,000
Semi finalist	$113,000
Runners-up	$227,250
Winners	$454,500

PRIZE Money for Australian Open Mixed Doubles (per pair)
1st Round	$3,800
2nd Round	$7,800
Quarter finalist	$15,500
Semi finalist	$33,900
Runners-up	$67,500
Winners	$135,500

All Prize Money in Australian Dollars

View the Offical Australian Tennis Open Site

Australian Open Tennis 2012 Melbourne January 16-29, 2012

Get the closest seats, the best accommodations, and exceptional tennis instruction from an ATP World Tour pro. Unparalleled, enjoyable experiences - at unbeatable prices. Fully personalized, begin the trip in style, flying comfortably from your destination to Melbourne, where your accommodations will not only feature the best in luxury and sweeping views of the city, but will be mere minutes away from your front seat at the Rod Laver Arena. And don't forget your access to an exclusive Tennis Club, tennis instruction and advice from court side expert, former ATP World Tour Player and coach Lan Bale.

We will plan your trip to bring you the best of Australia and New Zealand. Take some time out to travel to the countryside outside Melbourne, where you can taste the most fantastic local produce and wines. Explore Melbourne and Sydney on foot, and discover secrets of its history and architecture with our expert guide Kenneth Park. Experience a city unlike no other - creative, vibrant, in love with art - and addicted to sports. Enjoy to the fullest the best dining, entertainment and excitement Melbourne has to offer, while staying in its finest hotels in the city's center.

Join us on an unforgettably amazing trip to the Australian Open 2012. Just pack your bags - we'll plan the rest. Find amazing deals and savings when you book your travel package with us for Grand Slam Tour - Australian Open 2012. We customize your trip especially for you and you can expect to stay only at top of the line venues.

Perth Tourism News: Tennis Stars Coming to Perth for Hopman Cup

Tennis fans are in for a star studded treat at this summer's Hyundai Hopman Cup XXIV, with one of the best fields ever assembled in the tournament's 24-year history. Caroline Wozniacki, who has held the number one ranking for the past year, is coming to Perth for the first time, along with three of the top seven ranked women players and two of the top 10 men.

The line-up also includes three Grand Slam event winners such as Petra Kvitova, Li Na and Lleyton Hewitt, as well as some of the rising stars of tennis. The tournament will be held from December 31, 2011 to January 7, 2012 at the Burswood Dome. The State Government, through Eventscorp, is a founding sponsor of the Hopman Cup and last year put in place a new four-year sponsorship agreement until 2014.

Tennis Stars Coming to Perth for Hopman Cup

Tennis stars coming to Perth for Hopman Cup

West Australian tennis fans are in for a star studded treat at this summer’s Hyundai Hopman Cup XXIV with one of the best fields ever assembled in the tournament’s 24-year history.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames said it was great to see Caroline Wozniacki, who’s held the number one ranking for the past year, coming to Perth for the first time.

“Caroline Wozniacki has won 18 WTA events and will be a major drawcard - she’ll become the 24th world number one player to play in the event since it started in 1988,” Dr Hames said.

“To have three of the top seven ranked women players in the world and two of the top 10 men coming to Perth this summer is fantastic.

“There are three Grand Slam event winners in Petra Kvitova, Li Na and Lleyton Hewitt in the field as well as some of the rising stars of tennis, which will guarantee some thrilling and entertaining games.”

The Minister said the State Government, through Eventscorp, is a founding sponsor of the Hopman Cup, and last year put in place a new four-year sponsorship agreement that carries through to 2014.

“The last Hyundai Hopman Cup broke attendance and television coverage records, and with the star studded field assembled for Hopman Cup XXIV those records will again be under threat,” Dr Hames said.

“This Hopman Cup will signal the end of an era with the tournament moving to Perth Arena next year and I want to publicly thank Burswood for being such wonderful hosts since 1988.”

(Source: Ministerialmediastatements.wa.gov.au)

Kim Clijsters to Boost Brisbane International Field

BRISBANE fell in love with Kim Clijsters in 2010.

This year, the Belgian who has long been dubbed "Aussie Kim" lived up to that name when she won the Australian Open.

Yesterday, she became the latest in a string of big-name signings for the Brisbane International, where she will start preparing the defence of her Australian Open crown from January 1-8.

"I am looking forward to getting back on the court in Australia," Clijsters said.

"Australia has always been a home away from home for me and I am very comfortable there."

After she won a punishing 2010 Brisbane International final against countrywoman Justine Henin, Clijsters donated her champion's cheque to the Royal Children's Hospital, winning hearts all over the state.

"The final against Justine was a big match," Clijsters said.

"We both played great tennis, we were extremely focused and we set the bar pretty high. I was so excited to win that match and I am hoping to get this kind of lead-up preparation again."

Clijsters, who has slipped to No.10 in the world after an injury-plagued year, is making her comeback from a torn stomach muscle that prevented her from defending her US Open title last month.

The Brisbane tournament had hoped to welcome the popular mother of one back this year. But with women's tour rules restricting the number of top-10 players in the draw to just one, homegrown star Sam Stosur took that spot.

Since being elevated to a Premier-level event from next year, those limitations have been lifted and the prize pool increased 63 per cent to $1.1 million.

Tournament director Cameron Pearson was thrilled to put Clijsters' name on the bill again.

"She's been the favourite daughter, if you like, of the crowd that we have out to the Brisbane International," he said.

"This year we've got her back, which we're stoked with."

Joining Clijsters in a star-studded line-up will be world No.2 Maria Sharapova, Serbian drawcard Ana Ivanovic and Stosur.

Serena Williams, runner-up to Stosur at the US Open last month, also confirmed she would make her Brisbane International debut, as revealed exclusively in The Courier-Mail yesterday.

"It will help me with my seeding going into the Australian Open, too, so that would be good," said 13-time Grand Slam champion Williams, now ranked 14th after a long injury spell.

"I'm really excited to see everything, like how people are. I have such a great fan base in Australia."

About 67,000 people passed through the gates of the Queensland Tennis Centre at Tennyson for last year's event, with organisers targeting a crowd of 80,000 for next year.

Brisbane Tourism News: Stosur to Kick Off 2012 in Brisbane

US Open singles champion Sam Stosur will start her tennis year in her hometown tournament, the Brisbane International.

The world No.7, who is currently enjoying a quick post-US Open break at home on the Gold Coast, said she was looking forward to starting her Australian summer campaign in Queensland

Brisbane Tourism News: Stosur to Kick Off 2012 in Brisbane

A Hot Summer of Tennis

A record crowd of 653,860 attended the 2010 Australian Open to see Serena Williams win her 5th Australian Open title and Roger Federer – arguably the best player of all time – defeat Andy Murray for the coveted first Grand Slam of the tennis year.

With Sam Stosur running hot and Lleyton Hewitt back from injury, could this be Australia’s year to take home the title in either the men’s or women’s……….or both?

Book your accommodation now to avoid missing all the action – www.metroapartmentsmelbourne.com

Final Rooms on Sale for Finals Action - Australian open Tennis

Asia Pacific's only Grand Slam event ... and everyone's favourite………the Australian Open is set to serve up a feast of tennis action from Monday 17th January!

The superstars of the tennis world descend upon Melbourne, prepare yourself for 2 weeks of electric charged tennis action, steaming temperatures and hot bodies!

Metro Apartments on Bank Place, Melbourne still has some rooms available including the Men's and Women's Finals but they are selling fast so book today so you don't miss out.

You can choose from two, three, five or seven night stays in either a studio or one bedroom apartment.

Don't miss this sensational opportunity to be there!

To book your accommodation now log on to www.metroapartmentsmelbourne.com or call the hotel direct on 1800 005 433 or +61 3 9604 4321 (for callers outside Australia)