World Number One Doubles Team

MEDA RELEASE 21 December 2001

AUSSIE STAR TO PLAY HEINEKEN OPEN

The 2002 Heineken Open has scored another coup with the entry of Australian Todd Woodbridge into the January 7 - 12 event, to be played at the ASB BANK Tennis Centre.

Woodbridge, 30 will play in the Vodafone Doubles at the Heineken Open and is likely to continue his doubles partnership with Jonas Bjorkman

Woodbridge has won at least one grand slam doubles title per year since teaming with Mark Woodforde in 1992 to win the Australian Open doubles title.

Woodbridge teamed with Jonas Bjorkman for all bar two events this year and with the Swedish star won the Australian Open, the Tennis Masters Series Events at Monte Carlo and Hamburg. The pair were finalists on five other occasions.

Woodbridge has won a total of 70 career doubles titles, two singles titles and has earned over $US8 million in prizemoney as well as being in the Australian Davis Cup winning side in 1999 and the runner up side this year and 2000.

Heineken Open tournament director Graham Pearce said "The Vodafone Doubles has always been strong in Auckland and to have the world's number one pair playing in the tournament this year continues that great tradition".

Meanwhile one of the likely top seeds at the Heineken Open, Marat Safin has been voted the fans favourite on the official ATP tennis site www.atptennis.com. The 21 year old Russian received over 50,000 votes to edge out Gustavo Kuerten for the title.

For more information please contact:

Graham Pearce, Heineken Open Tournament Director 3733 623

mobile 021 675 005

or Dave Worsley, Media Manager 021 679 096

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