The Medibank International hopes to start the 2009 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour season with a coup.
Traditionally, Venus and Serena Williams rarely compete in the same non-major tournament, but Sydney officials hope they can break that unwritten rule next month.
The tournament has already confirmed Serena Williams’ participation and are hopeful that they might be successful in wooing Venus as well.
“I have made the request and asked that question of her agent,” Medibank International tournament director Craig Watson said in comments published first by the Daily Telegraph. “They will certainly talk about it and consider it. It would obviously been fantastic for the event.
“Serena and Venus playing doubles against Hingis and Kournikova in Sydney still goes down as one of the best matches ever at the tennis centre.
“We have not heard back as of yet but I will keep pressuring her agent for some feedback on it but we really like the sound of it. It would be unbelievable from a promotional view.”
The Medibank International is a joint ATP/WTA Tours Australian Open Series event. The tournament will be held January 11-17, 2009 at the Olympic Park Tennis Centre.
