Sports

New Wimbledon Champ to Play at La Costa Tourney

Petra Kvitova joins the field for the Mercury Insurance Open that begins July 30.

Petra Kvitova, the 21-year-old from the Czech Republic who captured the Wimbledon ladies’ singles title on Saturday, will play in the 2011 Mercury Insurance Open Presented by Tri-City Medical Center, July 30–Aug. 7 at the La Costa Resort and Spa, tournament officials announced.

Kvitova, who turned pro in 2006, defeated Russia’s Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-4 in the Wimbledon ladies’ singles final in England to win her first major title.

“We are very excited to have the new Wimbledon champion play in our tournament,” said Raquel Giscafre, Mercury Insurance Open tournament director. “She is an incredible and talented player to watch and I’m sure tennis fans will enjoy the opportunity to see her play at the La Costa Resort and Spa.”

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The victory at Wimbledon represents Kvitova’s fifth career WTA Tour singles title and her fourth singles title of 2011.

Named the 2010 Women’s Tennis Association Newcomer of the Year, Kvitova will be playing in Carlsbad for the first time in her career. She has been a member of the Czech Fed Cup team since 2007.

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In addition to Kvitova, the field for the 2011 Mercury Insurance Open will be highlighted by former world No.1 Kim Clijsters, defending Mercury Insurance Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova and WTA stars Vera Zvonareva, Agnieszka Radwanska, Ana Ivanovic, Daniela Hantuchova, Maria Kirilenko, Flavia Pennetta, Melanie Oudin, Coco Vandeweghe, Julia Goerges, Anna Chakvetadze and Yanina Wickmayer.

Individual tickets for the event are now on sale.  Reserved grandstand and box seat tickets, which range from $10-$125, are available online at mercuryinsuranceopen.com or through Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com.  Tournament ticket packages are also on sale and begin at $70.


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