Hopman Cup organisers are praying for a clean bill of health for Serena Williams after the world No.1 agreed to play at this summer’s mixed-teams event in Perth.
Williams, two-time grand slam winner Andy Murray, flamboyant Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Canadian glamour girl Eugenie Bouchard headline a strong field featuring nine players in the world’s top 20.
Australia’s hopes of ending its 16-year title drought will rest on the shoulders of rising teenage star Nick Kyrgios and a resurgent Casey Dellacqua.
Williams is hoping to add a third Hopman Cup crown to her mantle after winning the event with James Blake in 2003 and Mardy Fish in 2008.
But getting her to the starting line looms as the biggest challenge for Hopman Cup organisers.
Williams was forced to pull out of the 2003/04 tournament due to a knee injury, while she withdrew in 2008/09 with hamstring issues.
The 18-time grand slam champion was then forced to pull out for a third time in 2010/11 after cutting her foot in a freak accident.
Williams is arguably the most recognisable female athlete of the modern era, and Hopman Cup tournament director Paul Kilderry said the 33-year-old would prove to be a massive drawcard.
“She transcends tennis,” Kilderry said.
“She loves the event, as all the players do.
“They know they can really plan their schedule leading into the Australian Open. They know they’re going to get a minimum of three singles and three doubles matches.”
Williams will team with Wimbledon doubles champion Jack Sock, while France’s pairing of Tsonga and Alize Cornet will attempt to defend the title they won last year.
“It’s been such a long time since I’ve been there,” Williams said.
“It’s always been a great warm up for me.”
The Hopman Cup is yet to name a new naming-rights sponsor for the January 4-10 tournament after Hyundai ended its long-running association earlier this year.
Kilderry said the wheels were in motion to get another major sponsor in time for this summer’s tournament.
“In the next couple of weeks, we will have some updates. We are happy with how it’s looking,” he said.
TEAMS AND INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS FOR THE HOPMAN CUP
GROUP A: Canada: Vasek Pospisil (41), Eugenie Bouchard (7). Czech Republic: Radek Stepanek (45), Lucie Safarova (15). Italy: Fabio Fognini (18), Flavia Pennetta (16). United States: Jack Sock (70), [1] Serena Williams (1).
GROUP B: Australia: Nick Kyrgios (51), Casey Dellacqua (26). France: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (12), Alize Cornet (20). Great Britain: Andy Murray (11), Heather Watson (47). Poland: Jerzy Janowicz (36), Agnieszka Radwanska (6).
