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Fantastic field gets better Serena Williams to play Australian Open
Posted: Thursday December 09, 1999 10:48 AM
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- U.S. Open champion Serena Williams has entered next month's Australian Open despite earlier reports that she was planning to miss the tournament. Tournament promoter Paul McNamee said the Women's Tennis Association and Serena's father Richard had both told him she would be missing the event to do some school studies. The WTA last month denied telling McNamee that Williams would miss the tournament. "Obviously they have made alternative study arrangements," McNamee said Thursday. "The only way she can pull out now is through injury but if she's entered she'll play." The Open's proximity to the Christmas-New Year period has proved a drawback in the past with some leading players including Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi opting out on occasion. Not so this year, with the 50 top ranked women and all but two of the top 50 men having entered. Only injured Marcelo Rios and Pat Rafter have not entered and Rafter has indicated he might still play on a wildcard if he recovers from shoulder surgery in time for the start on Jan. 17.
"This really is an outstanding field," said McNamee. "It's the first time I can remember injury as the only deterrent."
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