The Brisbane International women’s singles trophy was today named in honour of one of Australia’s greatest ever tennis players, Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
“Evonne, who was ranked in the top 10 for nine years and finished her career with multiple grand slam titles, was the obvious choice to name the women’s trophy after”, Tournament Director Cameron Pearson said today.
“She has contributed so much to the game during her career and continues to do so with her National Development Camp and work with indigenous youth.
“We felt it was only appropriate that we recognise Evonne’s contribution to the sport and there was no better way to do this than to name the women’s championship trophy in her honour.”
Goolagong Cawley said today that “it is an amazing honour to have the Brisbane International trophy named after me”.
“I have won a few trophies in my time but I have never had a major event name their trophy after me. This is particularly special as it is for a Queensland event, one that I love and also the state that I call home.
“The Brisbane International is a fantastic event and I have enjoyed watching it grow year on year. A lot of this has been to do with the support of the Queensland Government and its contribution to Australian tennis.
“It seems only fitting that Brisbane has a chance to host such a major tournament, particularly with such a strong women’s field and some of our best tennis players in Sam Stosur and Ash Barty who currently flying the Queensland and Australian flags.
“I am so proud of this honour and cannot wait to see who will be the first Evonne Goolagong Champion in 2012.”
Acting Sport Minister Simon Finn said Evonne is one of our greatest female players and embodies the true spirit of what it means to be a Queenslander.
“To have her name on the Brisbane International women’s trophy is symbolic of her stellar career both on and off the court,” Mr Finn said.
“The Bligh Government, through Events Queensland, is proud to support this great tennis tournament which is a key fixture on our dynamic sporting calendar.
“By hosting sporting events in our own backyard, we’re creating a bright future for Queensland by stimulating the economy, and providing a major boost for jobs and the tourism industry.”
Tournament Director Cameron Pearson also announced today that Kim Clijsters will play on Pat Rafter Arena on the first day of the tournament, Sunday 1 January, subject to not having to play a qualifier in the first round.
Monday 2 January night session will see Queensland’s own Sam Stosur on court followed by Marcos Baghdatis. Baghdatis match will also be subject to not having to play a qualifier in the first round.
Andy Murray, the No.1 men’s seed, will debut on Pat Rafter Arena on Tuesday night, 3 January.
“It is going to be an exciting few day days at the Brisbane International with four of our big stars already confirmed for three sessions. It is shaping up to be a great event and a great way for all Queenslanders to start the New Year,” Pearson said.
Goolagong is a former World No.1 and was one of the world’s leading players in the 1970s and early 1980s, when she won 14 Grand Slam titles: seven in singles (four Australian Open, two Wimbledon and one French Open) six in women’s doubles, and one in mixed doubles.
She came close to completing a career Grand Slam with the US Open the only major to elude her. She lost four consecutive finals there between 1973 and 1976.
She is the third of eight children from an Australian Aboriginal family and grew up in the small country town of Barellan and has been awarded Australian of the Year in 1971, an MBE in 1972, made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1982 and in 1988, Goolagong was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Brisbane International 2012 series packages and single sessions are on sale now.
Tickets start from as little as $14.90 for ground passes and can be purchased online at www.ticketek.com.au/brisbaneinternational or call 1300 888 104.
