The organizers of next months ASB Classic in New Zealand have confirmed that they have awarded two wildcards to home player Marina Erakovic and Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko.
The tournament will start on January 4th and could be Erakovic’s first competitive tournament since the first round of the US Open. The New Zealand No.1 was forced to end her 2015 season early due to a knee injury. There is still uncertainty about if she will be fit enough to play in the tournament. During a recent interview with stuff.co.nz, the world No.135 has confirmed that she will make a decision about playing at the tournament after Christmas.
“Am I ready for the ASB Classic? I’d like to make that call after Christmas, because that’s when I’m going to start playing practice matches with the girls who are coming down and then I’ll know how I’m moving and how my knee is feeling.” Erakovic said.
The 27-year-old has been ranked as high as 39th back in 2012 and has won one WTA title at the 2013 US National Indoor Tennis Championships in Memphis. Since her trump in Memphis, Erakovic hasn’t won a title on the tour.
The other wildcard goes to 18-year-old Ostapenko. At 84th in the world the Latvian is the second youngest player in the top 100 behind Croatian No.82 Ana Konjuh. She first burst to prominence by claiming the 2014 Wimbledon Girls title. Then at this year’s Wimbledon, she stunned Carla Suarez Navarro in the first round (6-2, 6-0) before losing in the second round to Kristina Mladenovic. In September Ostapenkpo reached her first final on the WTA Tour at the Coupe Banque Nationale in Canada, where she lost in straight sets to Annika Beck.
“I’m looking forward to starting my year in Auckland. I’ve heard so many good things from the other players and can’t wait to make my first appearance. I want to get my season off to a good start, and this tournament will be a great stepping stone for the Australian Open. My goal is to continue to climb the rankings and make more WTA Finals.” Ostapenko said.
The 2016 tournament will be headlined by defending champion and world No.7 Venus Williams. Joining Williams will be Ana Ivanovic, Caroline Wozniacki and Svetlana Kutznetsova.
