Chinese city of Shenzhen, a metropolis of 68 million citizens, has been chosen to host the WTA Finals from 2019 to 2028, inheriting Singapore which has been the home of the WTA’s most prestigious tournament since 2014.
Shenzhen already hosts a WTA tournament, an International-level event held at the onset of the season, but the season-ending finale will be staged at a different venue, not at the Shenzhen Longgang Sports Center like the $626,750 January’s tournament, but at a new state-of-the-art 12,000 capacity stadium in the city’s downtown.
Another big change announced is a double increase in prize money amounting to $14 million awarded to the Top 8 singles players and Top 8 doubles teams. Women’s tennis has gone such a long way, as the total purse at the first Finals held in Boca Raton, Florida, in 1972 was $100,000!
Shenzhen promises to be an excellent host of this important tournament with its brand new venue, record prize money and always engaged and passionate Chinese tennis fans.
Wow! That is an amazing news not just for women’s tennis but also for fans and players like me. I’m really excited to see the new venue and I hope I can watch it next year since it’s just 2 hours away from me.
Emmanuel Damian, two hours by car?