- Tennis superstar visits unique Western Australian tourist attraction
- Roger Federer in WA to compete in the 2019 Mastercard Hopman Cup
- Supported by the State Government through Tourism WA and Tennis Australia
The unique desert landscape of the Pinnacles today became a temporary court for tennis superstar Roger Federer, ahead of his appearance at the 2019 Mastercard Hopman Cup on New Year's Day.
It is Federer's fifth time in Perth representing Switzerland at the tournament and his first visit to the Pinnacles, located in Nambung National Park.
Federer also visited the Lobster Shack in Cervantes, holding a live western rock lobster before sampling fresh local seafood on the beach.
Federer's famous 'quokka selfie' at Rottnest Island, taken ahead of his 2018 Hopman Cup appearance, made headlines around the world. The photograph reached more than half a billion people in 45 countries and sparked a tourism trend with visitors, including a growing list of celebrities replicating the popular photo.
In 2018, the Hopman Cup attracted a record-breaking crowd of more than 106,000 people. More than 5,500 fans turned up to watch Federer's open practice session with Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic will again pair up for Team Switzerland in the tournament to defend their 2018 title.
Tennis royalty Serena Williams and fellow US player Frances Tiafoe will face Federer and Bencic in the mixed teams tournament, as part of one of the strongest line-ups in the event's 31-year history.
The State Government, through Tourism Western Australia, has been a proud sponsor of the Hopman Cup since its inception in 1989.
As stated by Tourism Minister Paul Papalia:
"I am delighted to welcome tennis great Roger Federer back to Western Australia, and look forward to watching him, and all the players, in action at the 2019 Mastercard Hopman Cup.
"It is wonderful to have this opportunity to show Roger Federer another extraordinary part of our State. His appeal transcends the game of tennis and his social media reach is enormous.
"Federer's global influence will showcase the Pinnacles to a worldwide audience as one of many unspoilt natural attractions people can experience when they visit WA, along with our delicious fresh produces including local seafood.
"Supporting major events like the Hopman Cup are a key part of the State Government's Two-Year Action Plan, as they attract a significant number of visitors to our State, help to fill hotel rooms, boost local tourism businesses and benefit the economy."
