Former world number four Jelena Dokic, who is on a comeback trail, has confirmed participation for the 2005 WTA Hyderabad Open, to be held in the city from February 7 to 12.
Her participation will further add to the star value of the event, which will also see Martina Navratilova make her maiden appearance, albeit in the doubles draw, in India.
Dokic burst on the tennis scene in 1999, when, as a 16-year-old qualifier, ranked No 129, she caused one of the biggest upsets in Wimbledon history by trouncing the then world number one Martina Hingis 6-2, 6-0 in the first round.
Inconsistent performances and personal problems thereafter saw her slump out of the top 100. She also shifted representation from Australia to Yugoslavia.
Currently ranked 126 in the world, Dokic has returned to the court after a break and will head straight to India from Pattaya, Thailand, where she is playing the Volvo Women's Open.
Announcing her participation, Mahesh Bhupathi, managing director of event promoters Globosport, said, "Dokic is the lowest-ranked player in recorded tennis history to defeat a world No. 1 in the first round of a Grand Slam event and is known for her fighting spirit -- both on and off the court. Her participation in the third edition of the Hyderabad Open would add a new dimension to the event, capturing the steely determination of the young to fight the odds. We welcome her to India and Hyderabad".
Dokic, who moved an amazing 92 slots up in world rankings in one season during her 1999 dream run, had posted victories over top players like Mary Pierce, Venus Williams, Justine Henin, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Conchita Martinez, Kim Clijsters, Elena Dementieva, Tatiana Panova, Jennifer Capriati, Chanda Rubin and others in her short and frequently-interrupted career.
The taekwondo black belt-holder is keen to put her past behind and elevate her world ranking.
Speaking on the occasion, tournament director Krishna Bhupathi, said, "Nobody doubts Dokic's potential to fight back and move up the world ranking. I am sure she would enliven the Hyderabad courts with her game and attitude."
