Eight Grand Slam champions, eight of the world’s top 10 female players, the top-ranked Australians and the cream of the ATP Tour’s Next Gen will compete in the 2019 Sydney International tennis tournament to be broadcast on 9Gem from Sunday, January 6 to January 12.

James Bracey and Clint Stanaway will host live coverage of the star-studded event – which is one of the oldest tournaments in the world – from the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre.

Commentary will be provided by Jelena Dokic, Sam Groth, Sam Smith, Mark Petchey, John Fitzgerald, Josh Eagle, Casey Dellacqua, Roger Rasheed, Louise Pleming, Peter Donegan and Geoff Masters.

In one of the most exciting lineups in the 134-year history of the Sydney tournament first played in 1885, world No.1 and reigning French Open champion Simona Halep will headline the women’s field, along with defending Sydney and Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber, and reigning US Open champion Naomi Osaka. 
 
They will be joined by 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, fellow top 10 players Karolina Pliskova, Kiki Bertens and Daria Kasatkina, Australian No.1 and Sydney 2018 runner-up Ash Barty, 2011 US Open champion Sam Stosur, 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, and 2016 French Open and 2017 Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza. 
 
Reigning men’s champion Daniil Medvedev will return to defend his Sydney International crown against top seed Kyle Edmund and 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals champion Stefanos Tsitsipas. They will be joined by Australian No.1 and Sydney International 2018 runner-up Alex de Minaur, fellow rising star Frances Tiafoe, and familiar faces including the Australian Open 2008 runner-up, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Aussie favourites Matt Ebden and John Millman.

The official draw for the 2019 Australian Open will be broadcast during the Sydney International on 9Gem at 6.00pm on Thursday, January 10.

For further information, please contact: 
Nine Network Publicity 
Terry Stuart
TStuart@nine.com.au

Monday, January 7, 2019