Sport
Summer heats up at the Kooyong Classic
It’s summer in Melbourne and that can mean only one thing: it’s time to see some of the world’s best tennis players battle it out at the Kooyong Classic.
Eight of the world’s top male singles players will grace centre court at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in the lead up to the Australian Open.
The tournament, which runs from January 13-16, sees all participants play three matches over four days to determine the standings from first to eighth place.
The 2015 Kooyong Classic has drawn big names including world number five Kei Nishikori, Richard Gasquet, Feliciano Lopez and young Australian Jordan Thompson. See below for bios on the eight players competing in the 2015 Kooyong Classic.
In addition to the main draw, there will be exhibition matches and as always there is plenty to see and do away from centre court as well.
Historically, players from the USA have been very successful at the Kooyong Classic, with three Americans holding the record for the most title victories. Michael Chang, Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick have each won the tournament three times apiece with Aussie Lleyton Hewitt not far behind having won the Kooyong Classic twice.
Other Australians to have won the tournament include Bernard Tomic, Pat Cash and Mark Philippoussis.
The tournament has been played annually since 1988 and in that time has attracted tennis’ biggest names with past competitors including Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, Marcos Baghdatis, Thomas Muster, David Nalbandian and Stanislas Wawrinka.
Click here to purchase tickets for the Priceline Pharmacy Kooyong Classic.
PLAYER BIOS
Jordan Thompson
Country: Australia
Age: 20
Rank: 274
Fact: Is a big fan of the Wests Tigers.
Kei Nishiori
Country: Japan
Age: 24
Rank: 5
Fact: Kei Nishikori won the Kooyong Classic in 2014.
Richard Gasquet
Country: France
Age: 28
Rank: 26
Fact: At age 9 he appeared on the front of a French tennis magazine.
Gilles Simon
Country: France
Age: 29
Rank: 21
Fact: Has two sons, Timothe and Valentin.
Alexandr Dolgopolov
Country: Ukraine
Age: 25
Rank: 23
Fact: His father was a professional tennis player and his mother is a former gymnast.
Feliciano Lopez
Country: Spain
Age: 33
Rank: 14
Fact: Is a big fan of Real Madrid.
Fernando Verdasco
Country: Spain
Age: 31
Rank: 33
Fact: He has helped Spain to three Davis Cup titles.
Filip Krajinovic
Country: Serbia
Age: 22
Rank: 93
Fact: Attended Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida.
