TOP female tennis professional Daniela Hantuchova says she is eagerly awaiting her return to Palmer Coolum Resort for the exhibition match with fellow pro Jarmila Gajdosova at the resort’s impressive Tennis Centre this Saturday (22 December - 6.00pm start).
      
A visit to the resort last year clearly impressed the 29-year-old Slovak who intends to once again use her time on the Sunshine Coast to prepare for the Brisbane International (30 Dec - 6 Jan) and the Australian Open (14 - 27 Jan).

Apart from the relaxing environment, the resort is ideal from a training point of view with the surface of the Tennis Centre’s show court made of the same material as the Open’s courts in Melbourne.   

“I’m really looking forward coming back to the Palmer Coolum Resort again,” Hantuchova said.

“We had such a great time last year being there before the tournament in Brisbane and that part of the world counts among one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. I can’t wait to be training there again soon.

“The tennis courts and the resort itself is the best place for me to prepare for the Australian summer tournaments since the surface of the courts is identical to Melbourne Park.

“I’m ready to do all the hard training again which is always more fun to do in such wonderful environment,” she said.

Hantuchova’s sentiments were echoed by her exhibition match opponent Jarmila Gajdosova, who is just as keen to return to the Sunshine Coast and prepare for her upcoming summer tournaments.

“It’s so nice to be back home in Australia and I am very much looking forward to playing the exhibition match against my good friend Daniela at the beautiful Palmer Coolum Resort,” she said.

Entry to the match is $20 for adults, $10 for children and $50 for families (2 adults, 2 children). Seats can be secured by calling the Tennis Centre on (07) 5449 3480.

As an added bonus for local fans, Hantuchova will hold two tennis clinics at the Palmer Coolum Resort Tennis Centre for anyone looking to improve their skills.

On Friday 21 December she will host a one-hour kid’s clinic from 5.30pm ($35 per person) and on Saturday 23 December an adult’s clinic from 10.00am ($50 per person).