Today it was announced that Lleyton Hewitt would partner with Casey Dellacqua to represent Australia at the Hopman Cup to be played in Perth, 3 - 9 January, 2009.

The official media release reads ... 

PERTH. Exciting news for tennis fans as it was today announced that Australia’s Number 1 players, Lleyton Hewitt and West Australian Casey Dellacqua, have accepted invitations to represent Australia at the 2009 Hyundai Hopman Cup in Perth.

Two time Grand Slam & Davis Cup Champion, former World Number 1 and Australia’s leading male player for many years, Lleyton Hewitt needs no introduction. Currently ranked World Number 19 he returns to Perth for his fourth Hyundai Hopman Cup appearance, where his record is 12 - 3 overall (6 - 2 in singles and 5 - 1 in mixed, including a Finals appearance in 2003). In a stellar career he has thrilled tennis fans with his many victories and courageous comebacks for his 2 Grand Slam singles victories (US Open 2001, Wimbledon 2002) and a total of 26 ATP singles titles. Hewitt also won the US Open 2000 doubles title and has earned over $17 million in prizemoney.

About his return Lleyton said:

“It is always a major thrill for me to represent my country and I look forward to returning to Perth to do so in Hopman Cup 2009. Casey and I shall be giving it all we can to win the Cup for Australia for the first time since 1999, so we look forward to the support of the great Western Australian fans in getting behind us.”

Dellacqua’s profile skyrocketed after a giant killing and heart warming run to the fourth round at this year’s Australian Open where she defeated Amelie Mauresmo and Patty Schneider. She has maintained her good form throughout 2008 also reaching the fourth round of Indian Wells, with a victory over Nicole Vaidisova, to reach a current world ranking of 52 and become the highest ranked Australian woman. It will be her debut appearance at the Hyundai Hopman Cup and she had this to say:

"As long as I've been playing tennis I've dreamt of one day playing in the Hopman Cup. It's the only major tournament in Perth and it will be an absolute thrill to play in front of my family and friends for Australia."

The Hyundai Hopman Cup is the Official Mixed Championship of the International Tennis Federation, and is widely regarded as the world’s most prestigious invitational tournament.

The ITF controls the major international team events for all age groups. The most prestigious competitions in tennis, the four Grand Slams, plus the Japan Open, the Italian Championships and the International Championships of Spain are all official Championships of the ITF.

The 21st Hyundai Hopman Cup will be played at the Burswood Dome, Perth from 3 - 9 January 2009.