Grand Slam champions Ashleigh Barty, Simona Halep and Naomi Osaka lead an impressive line-up that features 49 of the best 50 players of the World’s Top 50 and 15 Grand Slam champions at the Gippsland Trophy and Yarra Valley Classic in Melbourne. These two WTA 500 tournaments will be held simultaneously as part of the Melbourne Series at Melbourne Park from 31st January to 6 February 2021.
The Australian summer of tennis will start with two WTA 500 and two ATP 250 tournaments. The world’s best players will compete fore more than $ 2.2 million in prize money.
Barty will make her comeback after an 11-month absence at Melbourne Park after being unable to travel due to the covid-19 pandemic. Last year Barty claimed the title at the inaugural Adelaide tournament.
The Australian player, who won the Roland Garros title in 2019, will be joined by 2019 Wimbledon champion Simona Halep, 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, two-time Australian Open champion and 2020 US Open finalist Victoria Azarenka, past Australian Open champion and two-time US Open winner Naomi Osaka, former Australian Open and US Open champion Angelique Kerber, 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, who will also make her come-back after being sidelined by an injury.
World number 16 David Goffin, Karen Khachanov, Kevin Anderson and John Isner lead the line-up at the Great Ocean Road Open.
Nick Kyrgios will be joined by three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, 2017 ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov, Felix Auger Aliassime and 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic.
The tournaments have been named to recognize key regions of the State of Victoria to promote the re-birth of the state following the tragic challenges faced due to the bushfires and Covid-19 pandemic.
“Having 49 of the world’s top 50 women and an outstanding men’s field commit for the Melbourne Summer Series is a huge bonus for fans and promises quality matches for players leading into the Australian Open. There is no doubt this will be an historic week of tennis, and is the biggest ever Australian Open lead-in week in Australia. It’s an exciting prospect for fans onsite and watching around the world. While we know the circumstances are unique this week, it is a huge coup to secure such strong playing fields. I hope fans, whether fans onsite or watching at home, will embrace what will be a high quality week of events”, said Tennis Australia Head of Major Events Cameron Pearson.
