The first day at the WTA Finals is traditionally all about glamour and the 2016 edition in Singapore was no different as the finalists once more dressed up for the traditional draw ceremony inside the Marina Bay Sands shopping mall.
Something was different this year, though, as the stage did not feature the season’s Top 8 players, rather just 7, since the eighth spot is still undecided — if Svetlana Kuznetsova wins the Kremlin Cup final, Johanna Konta’s hopes of playing the WTA Finals for the first time will be ruined.
The eighth missing player was not the only absence that was felt on Friday. This year’s edition of the Finals is also missing many of the sport’s biggest names due to a number of circumstances: Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, Petra Kvitova, Ana Ivanovic & Caroline Wozniacki. The absentees combine a major share of the sport’s ticket-selling powers, which will likely be felt in the stands next week.
Nevertheless, there’s plenty to be looking forward to in Singapore next week. The event does not only feature world #1 Angelique Kerber, but also some of the sport’s most promising up-and-coming players such as WTA Finals debutantes Madison Keys & Karolina Pliskova. Add in the 2015 champion Agnieszka Radwanska and Simona Halep and the draw promises plenty of quality tennis all week.
The festivities in Singapore will continue tomorrow with an all-day All Access Hour for the press, followed by the start of play on Sunday. The tournament’s Red Group, headlined by top seed Angelique Kerber, will be playing on Sunday, followed by the White Group’s start on Monday.
Keep checking back to Women’s Tennis Blog all week long as we take you to the exciting conclusion of the season-ending tournament.
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