Del Potro could play at Kooyong
MELBOURNE -- U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro will stand in for Roger Federer at the invitational Kooyong Classic in January if the Swiss world No. 1 decides against defending his title, organizers said Tuesday.
Federer thrashed compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka to win the title earlier this year but is in doubt for the Jan. 13-19 Australian Open warmup event after a shift in priorities since he became the father of twin girls.
The 15-time Grand Slam champion has indicated he may scale back his tournament schedule in 2010.
"If Roger decides against playing at Kooyong, or another player withdraws before Jan. 13, Juan Martin will step into the field," tournament director Colin Stubs said in a statement.
"I am delighted that such strong backup plans have been put in place," Stubs added of the Argentine world No. 5.
Apart from missing the 2008 tournament with glandular fever, Federer has been a fixture at the leafy Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club since 2004 and has used it as a springboard to three Australian Open titles.
Organizers said they would be prepared to wait until "the day before" for his confirmation at Kooyong, which guarantees all players in the eight-man field three matches on the same surface used at Melbourne Park for the Australian Grand Slam.
Organizers have already confirmed seven out of the eight, including Serbian world No. 4 Novak Djokovic and seventh-ranked Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France.
