Serena confirms Hopman Cup return
Originally published on 21/10/15
World No.1 Serena Williams will kick off her preparations for the 2016 Australian Open at the Hopman Cup in Perth.
The 21-time Grand Slam winner is one of six major champions (in singles and doubles) in the all-star field at the 28th Hopman Cup from January 3-9.
In January Williams reached the final at the Perth Arena with John Isner and went on to win a sixth Australian Open title in Melbourne. She went on to win four more titles in 2015, including Roland Garros and Wimbledon before falling short of a calendar year Grand Slam in New York.
The American, who will partner Jack Sock in 2016, has ended her season early but is already preparing for the new season.
“Perth definitely started something quite amazing so I think it’s only natural and fair and reasonable that I go back to Perth,” she said. "We were so close to winning last year. I’m really excited to be back. For me the Hopman Cup is super great preparation for the Australian Open. In 2016 I want to play doubles in Australia so it will be really exciting for me to get there, play some doubles and get some little experience at the Hopman Cup.”
Also confirmed for the event is world No.9 and Roland Garros runner-up Lucie Safarova and home favourite Nick Kyrgios. With Jiri Vesely representing Czech Republic alongside Safarova and Alexander Zverev partnering Sabine Lisicki for the German team, three of the last five Australian Open boys’ champions will be in Perth – Vesely won the title in 2011, Kyrgios in 2013 and Zverev in 2014.
British pair Andy Murray and Heather Watson had already confirmed they will return to Perth for a second year, while Lleyton Hewitt will begin his final month as a professional alongside Casey Dellacqua – the former world No.1 intends to retire after the Australian Open.
| Group A | Group B | ||
| Australia Gold | Lleyton Hewitt & Casey Dellacqua | Australia Green | Nick Kyrgios & TBC |
| Czech Republic | Jiri Vesely & Lucie Safarova | France | Gael Monfils & Caroline Garcia |
| Ukraine | Alexandr Dolgopolov & Elina Svitolina | Germany | Alexander Zverev & Sabine Lisicki |
| USA | Jack Sock & Serena Williams | Great Britain | Andy Murray & Heather Watson |
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