KEY POINTS:
New Zealand tennis player Marina Erakovic has made the cut to play at Wimbledon this year.
The acceptance list was released today with Erakovic, ranked 80 in the world, included on the 128-player draw.
She is due to play the French Open later this month, making her the first New Zealander to contest a Grand Slam tournament in more than six years.
Former top ranking New Zealand player Brenda Perry said the surface at Wimbledon could give Erakovic a chance to punch above her world ranking.
"Grass is very well suited to her game. She really likes it and the majority of players do not feel comfortable on grass. She likes to come in to net and uses her serve and slice."
Erakovic has also been accepted to play in the doubles at both Grand Slams, alongside her 2004 US Open Junior titleholder partner, Michaella Krajicek of Holland. While Erakovic's doubles ranking of 177 was far too high to make the cut, Grand Slams allow players to use their best ranking in either singles or doubles.
Erakovic will prepare by playing two grass tournaments in England and Holland in the weeks heading up to Wimbledon's June 23 start.
She had always intended to contest those tournaments but the top 100 ranking she has held since April means she won't have to worry about qualifying for the main draw.
"Increased ranking gives you more opportunities, more tournaments you can play, which gives you better preparation for the main event," Perry said.
This year Wimbledon has a total purse of 11.8 million pounds ($30.5 million). A first round loss in the singles will still pay out 10,250 pounds ($26,513).
"It's a very significant thing of getting your ranking into that category. The four (Grand Slam) tournaments a year help to cover your basic expenses, even if you lose," Perry said.
Erakovic left for Istanbul today from her home base in Amsterdam to play in her second claycourt tournament of the year before the French Open.
Perry said a few wins in Erakovic's next couple of tournaments could make things interesting come Olympic selection time.
After the French Open the International Tennis Federation will release the rankings which are used to qualify players for the Olympics. With each country able to enter just four players, Erakovic could be ranked high enough to win a spot - but would then have to contend with New Zealand Olympic Committee selectors.
" It would be very interesting because the (committee) is still saying top 16 in the world (get to go) which is just ridiculous."
- NZPA
