Eugenie Bouchard has yet to commit to playing in the Australian Open in 2016, but she now has committed to playing in a tuneup for the year's first Grand Slam.
The enigmatic Canadian tennis player will play in the Hobart International in Australia that runs from Jan. 10-16, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Eugenie Bouchard Named 'Flop Of 2015'
The tournament represents Bouchard's first chance to play since she had to withdraw from her first-round match against Andrea Petkovic at the China Open in October because of lingering effects of a concussion.
Bouchard will play in the event for the first time in her career.
Lingering Concussion Symptoms May Keep Eugenie Bouchard Out Of Australian Open
"I want to start my 2016 season strongly and am hoping to get high quality matches in Hobart," said Bouchard to the Sydney Morning Herald. "I've had great success in Australia in the past and can't wait to experience a new city."
Bouchard's career has been derailed ever since she hit her head on a tile floor in the physiotherapy room at the U.S. Open the night before her fourth-round singles match against Roberta Vinci.
She has filed a lawsuit against the United States Tennis Association and the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, site of the U.S. Open.
Bouchard, 21, has dropped to No. 49 in the world rankings after working her way up to No. 5 in 2014. She had a miserable 2015, losing 10-of-11 matches at one point after winning four in a row to reach the quarterfinals of the 2015 Australian Open and three in a row at the U.S. Open before suffering her concussion.
And it's likely that no one will be pushing harder for Bouchard's success more than the USTA and the U.S. Open facility. Her success in Hobart could either aid their defense in court or at least lesson the damages if they are held liable for Bouchard's concussion.
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