Clair21
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Kuerten seeks Open wildcard
Kuerten seeks Open wildcard
By Leo Schlink
December 13, 2006
THREE-time French Open champion and former world No.1 Gustavo Kuerten has applied for an Australian Open wildcard in a potential complication to Mark Philippoussis's Melbourne Park plans.
Once a top-10 fixture, Kuerten has battled chronic hip problems since claiming his 20th career title in 2004.
But the wiry baseliner is determined to restore his reputation as one of the world's finest all rounders, and he wants to contest the Australian Open from January 15-28 despite a world ranking of No.1079.
"I have two options to start the new year," he said.
"I can fly to Australia or warm up to play the Sao Paulo Open and some other Challengers we have here (in South America).
"If I have the opportunity to go to Australia and be with the other guys, train along with higher standard players, it could be a good experience and it may motivate me to play my best tennis."
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"It's a long way to talk about something like that but, in my heart, for myself, I do believe." - Mark
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13/Dec/06, 17:29
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Clair21
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Re: Kuerten seeks Open wildcard
Thought I would start with this!
Considering Kuerten is ranked 1079 and has played only 2 tournments this year, I highly doubt they would choose him over Mark and I hope an Aussie player would also attract more people to the open.
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"It's a long way to talk about something like that but, in my heart, for myself, I do believe." - Mark
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13/Dec/06, 17:33
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flipfanatic
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Re: Kuerten seeks Open wildcard
I am a huge Guga fan and would love to see him play at the AO.
I saw Guga play once on CC and was stunned at the power and speed of his strokes. I had no idea!
I don't necessarily agree that the aussies should get a WC over Guga as I would prefer a quality player and a GS champion any day to watch but when an aussie is your absolute no. 1 and has had a good year to boot! Mark wins over Guga on a WC any day 
I hope both Mark and Guga are given a WC!
Val
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“It’s in my heart to give it one more go” - Mark
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14/Dec/06, 16:30
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Clair21
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Philippoussis 'set for Open wildcard'
Philippoussis 'set for Open wildcard'
Tennis Australia has strongly hinted that Mark Philippoussis would again be given a wildcard into next month's Australian Open.
Philippoussis, who has had a topsy-turvy year, is well outside the cut-off point for direct entry and has ignored TA's wildcard play-off tournament starting on Friday.
However he is still regarded as a marquee player and, while TA is publicly hedging on the subject, it is quick to point to the attraction of the former Wimbledon and US Open finalist.
Meanwhile, former women's champion Lindsay Davenport has almost certainly played her last Australian championship.
The American pulled out of the tournament on Thursday morning after discovering she was pregnant.
Davenport, 30, has decided to reassess her career after a six-month break from the game.
Open tournament director Craig Tiley said that Philippoussis' world ranking of 114 left him 13 spots outside direct entry and the cut would "obviously have to move for him to get in directly".
"He'll have to rely on a decision based on his performance during the year, based on his ranking, to get in," Tiley said.
"He's our second highest ranked player so he would have to be seriously considered based on his ranking.
"I think Mark's a good drawcard based on any indications we've had from around the world from the tournaments who like to have him.
"He's had a very good year, his ranking's moved 100 spots during the year so I would definitely believe that Mark's a good drawcard for any event," Tiley said.
Philippoussis has worked spasmodically with Andre Agassi's former coach Darren Cahill and fitness trainer Gil Reyes but his results have ranged from winning the ATP tournament at Newport to first round second tier Challenger losses.
The Victorian will be in competition for three discretionary wildcards along with Brazilian former World No.1 Gustavo Kuerten and Australian players who are outside TA's other entry criteria.
Tiley said the tournament would miss Davenport but still retained a quality field.
"She's been a great drawcard," Tiley said.
"The success she's had here at the open and the success she's had internationally, she's a fun player to watch."
Davenport may well have played her last match.
She and her husband Jonathan Leach are expecting their first child in mid-2007.
The American won the US Open in 1998, Wimbledon in 1999 and the Australian Open in 2000, along with an Olympic gold medal in 1996.
She has won a total of 51 titles in singles, 36 in doubles, and finished four seasons ranked No.1: 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2005.
Davenport ended 2006 ranked 25th.
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"It's a long way to talk about something like that but, in my heart, for myself, I do believe." - Mark
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15/Dec/06, 0:25
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