Federer, Roddick and Agassi confirmed for Kooyong Classic

MELBOURNE (Australia)—World No.1 Roger Federer and Americans Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi were confirmed to play in the Kooyong Classic here as a lead-up to January’s Australian Open. Organisers Thursday announced the majority of their eight-man field for the exhibition event to be played on Kooyong’s hardcourt from January 11-14.
Federer, this year’s Wimbledon and US Open champion, won the Kooyong tournament last January, while Agassi is making his ninth appearance. Tournament director Colin Stubs said Argentinian David Nalbandian (ranked 12), compatriot Guillermo Coria (6) and German Tommy Haas (45) would also play in the event.
Stubs said negotiations were proceeding with Russian Australian Open champion Marat Safin (ranked 8), Frenchman Richard Gasquet (12) and American Taylor Dent (24) for the two remaining spots in the draw. Switzerland’s Federer, who won the Wimbledon and US Open titles this year, will be making his third appearance at the eight-man event that runs from January 11-14.
American world number four Andy Roddick has also accepted an invitation to play in the traditional warm-up event for the Australian Open, which begins on January 16. Tournament director Colin Stubs said he was still conducting negotiations with crowd favorite Andre Agassi, who would be appearing for the ninth time should he decide to attend.
“I will get on the telephone next week, but we have got an indication that he (Agassi) wants to come back down here,” Stubs told a news conference. Former Wimbledon finalist David Nalbandian of Argentina has also been confirmed for the tournament, as has compatriot Guillermo Coria and Germany’s Tommy Haas.—Agencies