World No. 12 For Heineken Open
November 6th, 2004
World No12 Tommy Robredo of Spain is set to make his Heineken Open debut after confirming his appearance in the Vodafone singles at the January 10-15, 2005 US$404,000 Heineken Open.
Robredo is one of the form players on the ATP this year after winning in his home city, Barcelona beating Gaston Gauido in five sets in the final plus making the semifinals at Chennai, the Masters Series at Cincinnati and ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
He is at his current career high ranking after another consistent year on the circuit which saw him reach four singles quarter finals as well.
The 22 year-old has one other career title to his credit winning as a teenager in 2001 at Sopot, Poland.
In doubles this year Robredo teamed up with Rafael Nadal to win at Chennai plus the young Spanish duo reached the semifinals of the US Open and the semis of the Tennis Masters at Indian Wells together.
They also combined to help Spain gain a place in the Davis Cup final next month with a five-set victory over Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra of France.
In 2003 Robredo reached the quarter finals of Roland Garros with wins over Lleyton Hewitt in the third round and Gustavo Kuerten in the fourth round, finally falling to the defending champ Albert Costa in five sets.
His result in Paris was after a classy run of 15-6 on European clay which saw him make one semifinal, one quarter final and two third rounds.
“It’s great to have a fresh face such as Tommy coming to the tournament. He is a very highly ranking player and being world No12 adds more depth to the Heineken Open.
“If he and Nadal play doubles together, look out. He is obviously rising up the rankings having started 2004 at 21 and has the potential to go further,” said Heineken Open tournament director, Graham Pearce.
Robredo was a top junior player reaching a high of eight in singles and five in doubles and the semis of the 2000 Australia Open (beat New Zealand’s Lee Radovanovich in the quarters). He also won the doubles title at the same event.
He has represented Spain twice in Hopman Cup winning the tournament with Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in 2002.
Robredo is named after the Who rock opera, Tommy which his father, Angel, a tennis coach is a big fan of. His mother, Dolores has also been a tennis coach.
Robredo is added to the list of quality players already confirmed to come to Auckland – Guillermo Coria, Dominik Hrbaty and Rafael Nadal.
The tournament will be the 50th anniversary of the professional tennis event in Auckland which is now known as the Heineken Open.
The Heineken Open featuring the Vodafone singles and doubles will be held January 10-15 at the ASB BANK Tennis Centre, Tennis Lane, Parnell with qualifying January 8-9.
Tickets go on sale for the Heineken Open, Monday, November 22.
For more details please contact:
Graham Pearce – Heineken Open tournament director – 021 675 005
Or
Dave Worsley – Heineken Open media manager – 021 679 096
www.heinekenopen.co.nz
