World No. 1 Jelena Jankovic is in doubt for Sydney's Medibank International in January after the Serbian star revealed she was still finalising her playing schedule for the start of 2009.
After earlier indicating her preference to start her Australian Open preparation at the Medibank International, Jankovic will not be on the official acceptance list, but could request a wildcard to the event which begins on January 11 at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre.
“We had some good signs from Jelena early on and she indicated to me in New York that she was looking forward to returning to Sydney,” said tournament director Craig Watson.
“Players often end up re-arranging their schedules a number of times and in this instance, Jelena has not finalised her plans for 2009 yet.
“She is always welcome in Sydney having played some outstanding tennis here in the past; her 2007 final against Kim Clijsters is particularly memorable.
“If Jelena does decide that she would like to play in Sydney, then we would certainly consider her for a wildcard.”
Jankovic has played the Medibank International Sydney four times previously – in 2004, 05, 07 and 08, with her best performance being runner up to Belgian Kim Clijsters in 2007.
The official acceptance list for the Medibank International Sydney is expected to be announced by the end of the week.