Del Potro on call as Federer standby at Kooyong
October 13th, 2009 - 3:33 pm ICT by IANS
Melbourne, Oct 13 (DPA) Argentine Juan Del Potro was Tuesday drafted into standby for Roger Federer as the pre-Australian Open AAMI Classic waits on the Swiss to finalise his 2010 playing schedule.
US Open winner and world number-five Del Potro will take over as eighth man at the key preparation event at Kooyong club in case Federer opts out of the field.
The world number-one has played for five of the last six years, missing only 2007 with his glandular fever.
Federer has asked organisers to hold him a spot for the January 13-16 warmup. His plans may be somewhat changed from now on after the summer birth of his twins.
The Swiss will start the New Year in Abu Dhabi at a six-man exhibition with Rafael Nadal before travelling to Australia.
Federer won at Kooyong last January over Davis Cup teammate Stan Wawrinka, then played the Australian Open final a fortnight later against Nadal.
“If Roger decides against playing at Kooyong, or another player withdraws before January 13, Juan Martin will step into the field,” said Kooyong boss Colin Stubs. “I’m delighted that such strong back-up plans have been put in place.”
Federer has won three Australian Open titles on the back of Kooyong preparation and would likely not want to change a winning programme.
The remainder of the field is comprised of Novak Djokovic and losing Australian Open finalist to the Serb last year, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, plus French Open finalist Robin Soderling, former Melbourne finalist Marcos Baghdatis, Spain’s Fernando Verdasco, German Tommy Haas and Fernando Gonzalez of Chile.
- Federer declines Kooyong place; doors open for Murray, Roddick - Jan 10, 2010
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- Federer again aims to hold off challengers in 2010 - Dec 31, 2009
- Andreev test first up for Federer - Jan 15, 2010
- Australian Open boss says Del Potro will play - Jan 15, 2010
- Federer may go radical for Australian Open - Dec 30, 2009
- Federer-Berdych set-up Madrid Open final - May 13, 2012
- Djokovic the player to beat at Melbourne Park - Jan 15, 2012
- Determined Djokovic says ATP season needs a re-vamp - Jan 12, 2010
- Tipsarevic stuns Djokovic in Madrid Open - May 12, 2012
- Nadal advances to US Open semi-finals - Sep 10, 2010
- Nadal to meet Federer in semis - Mar 17, 2012
- Federer beats Del Potro to capture second title in Rotterdam - Feb 19, 2012
- Nadal increases ATP rankings lead with Wimbledon trophy - Jul 05, 2010
- Honeymooning Roddick to miss Rome for second straight year - Apr 23, 2010
Tags: aami classic, australian open, australian open titles, del potro, eighth man, fernando gonzalez, fernando verdasco, german tommy haas, glandular fever, jo wilfried tsonga, kooyong, man exhibition, marcos baghdatis, novak djokovic, open winner, rafael nadal, robin soderling, roger federer, travelling to australia, wawrinka