Photo: Ron C. Angle
Marcos will open his 2010 ATP World Tour campaign at the Brisbane International, an ATP World Tour 250 tournament that begins on Sunday, 3rd January.
Marcos played at the inaugural event at the start of this season and, in his first match back after the injury troubles of 2008, lost a tight three-set match to Jarkko Nieminen.
To complete his preparations for the Australian Open, Marcos will head to the Medibank International in Sydney, also an ATP World Tour 250 tournament, played from 10-16 January. Marcos has played in Sydney once before, reaching the quarter-finals in 2007, when he lost to Carlos Moya in a third-set tie-break.
"I am very pleased to be competing again in the Medibank International Sydney. It is a wonderful city and one of my favourite places to visit," Marcos said.
“I hope to do well in Sydney. The crowd was great and supported me when I played there a few years ago and I am looking forward to returning.”
Marcos will then return to the scene of his greatest tennis triumph to date when he contests the Australian Open from 18-31 January. Marcos famously reached his first Grand Slam final in Melbourne in 2006, ousting top 10 players Andy Roddick, Ivan Ljubicic and David Nalbandian before falling to World No. 1 Roger Federer in four sets.
Marcos posted his strongest Grand Slam effort of 2009 at the Australian Open, advancing to the fourth round where he pushed World No. 3 Novak Djokovic to four sets.
In preparation for the 2010 season, Marcos will contest Copa Peugeot Argentina de Tenis - an exhibition tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina held from 17-20 December. Also taking part are soon-to-retire Russian Marat Safin, former World No. 1 Carlos Moya, last year’s winner Juan Monaco and 2007 Australian Open finalist Fernando Gonzalez, with one player yet to be confirmed in the six-man field.
If you live nearby, find out how you can buy tickets for the exhibition here.
Stay tuned to www.baghdatis.com for the latest news.
