Organizers of nex January’s ASB Classic in Auckland have awarded a wild-card to Bethanie Mattek Sands, who is currently ranked world number 367.
Mattek Sands won the 2018 mixed doubles title at the US Open with Jamie Murray last September and was a former world number 1 in the doubles ranking. In the rest of the 2018 doubles season she reached the quarter final in the doubles with her partner Lucie Safarova at Wimbledon, but she won just two more matches in the rest of the season.
The US 33-year-old player suffered a serious knee injury at Wimbledon 2017. She made her come-back in Miami last March. She won five doubles Grand Slam titles and reached a career-high of world number 30 in the WTA singles ranking. She will make her second appearance in Auckland after losing in the first round in 2016.
“Beth is one of the most entertaining and colourful players on the Tour. She won multiple Grand Slam titles and Olympic medals, but it’s her personality and flair that makes her stand out”,said Auckland tournament director Karl Budge.
The ASB Classic in Auckland will feature 2018 Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki, and two former Grand Slam champions Victoria Azarenka and Venus Williams plus 2017 WTA Elite Trophy champion and 2018 Wimbledon seminalist Julia Goerges from Germany.
