The 2010 Sony Ericsson Open men’s and women’s player fields were announced today and will once again feature a star-studded cast highlighted by World No. 1’s and Australian Open champions Roger Federer and Serena Williams.
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The two will be among the world’s best 79 men and 76 women tennis players from around the globe returning to the Tennis Center at Crandon Park. A total of thirty-five countries will be represented when tournament play begins on the purple courts March 22- April 4, on Key Biscayne.
Roger Federer, who captured his 16th Grand Slam title with his win at this year’s Australian Open, will return to the Sony Ericsson Open seeking his third title in Key Biscayne. Serena Williams returned from the Australian Open with her 12th grand Slam title and is looking to bounce back from her 2009 finals’ loss at the Sony Ericsson Open to win a record-setting sixth title at Key Biscayne this year.
Tickets to the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open are on sale now and can be purchased by phone (305-442-3367) or via internet at www.sonyericssonopen.com. An electrifying 13 days of tennis conclude with the women’s final on Saturday, April 3 and the men’s final on Sunday, April 4.
Among the players expected to battle Federer for the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open title are six-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, defending Sony Ericsson Open champion Andy Murray; 2009 U.S. Open Champion Juan Del Potro; 2007 Sony Ericsson Open champion and last year’s finalist Novak Djokovic; and American Andy Roddick (2004 Champion).
Williams enters the tournament, seeking her sixth Sony Ericsson Open title in nine years. Her five wins at Key Biscayne currently tie her with Steffi Graf for most singles titles in Sony Ericsson Open history.
In a quest to set her own record, Williams will face an eager field of challengers including two-time Sony Ericsson Open finalist Maria Sharapova who will be making her first appearance in Miami since 2007; 2009 U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters (2005 Champion); three-time Sony Ericsson winner Venus Williams; and defending champion Victoria Azarenka.
In addition, seven-time Grand Slam champion and 2010 Australian Open finalist Justine Henin has been granted a wild card into the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open.
The qualifying rounds will be played March 22-23 and will determine 12 more slots in each singles draw, while the tournament will award five men’s wildcards and eight women’s wildcards. Women’s main draw play will begin Tuesday, March 23 with the men’s main draw starting on Wednesday, March 24.