Ana begins her 2012 season on Sunday with the Brisbane International. Newly upgraded to Premier status, the $655,000 event has attracted its best ever line-up of players.
Among the field will be 13-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, reigning Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters and Australian No.1 and current US Open champion Samantha Stosur. Former world No.1 Maria Sharapova has withdrawn through injury.
“It’s going to be an exciting start to the season,” said Ana. “So many great players at this tournament, and we all want to start the year well. I’m sure it’s going to be tough competition"
From Brisbane Ana will head to Sydney for the Apia International, which takes place during January 8-13. It will be her first appearance at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre since she reached the semi-finals in 2008, the year she went on the finish runner-up at the Australian Open.
"I was really looking forward to playing Sydney last year,” Ana explained. “But unfortunately I got injured at Hopman Cup and it wasn’t to be. I love playing there and I think my family may come to watch me too.”
January will be a busy month for Ana, and she hopes to be in action during all four weeks. From Sydney she will travel to Melbourne for the Australian Open, the year’s first Grand Slam, which takes place during the third and fourth weeks of the month.
Ana said: “It’s definitely one of my goals to do better at the Grand Slams next year. I believe I’m on the right path, I have confidence in my coach Nigel and he has confidence in me, and hopefully I can go far.”
Source: Official Website
