With the 2008 Australian Open  now run and won, Carlton has taken time out to welcome yet another Australian tennis player  into its ranks.

25 year-old Aussie, Anastasia Rodionova, ventured to MC Labour Park recently, where a meeting with Andrew Walker resulted in her landing a new Carlton guernsey and him a brand spanking racquet.

A mixed doubles finalist  with Andy Ram at Wimbledon in 2003, Rodionova, was born in Russia, but is now registered as an Australian player, after meeting her Melbourne-based boyfriend at the 2006 Australian Open.

Living in Melbourne, Rodionova knew she had to choose an AFL team, and with her favorite colour being Blue, narrowed it down to only one Club  . . . Carlton.

Even though her knowledge of the game isn’t great, Rodionova is a regular visitor to carltonfc.com.au, and after reading a number of articles on the site said, “I don’t know much about him, but [Chris] Judd must be a very good player”.

2008 is shaping as a busy year for Rodionova on the professional tennis circuit, but she will be back in Melbourne during April and is looking forward to watching her beloved Blues in action for the first time.