On the morning of January 27, 2015, WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai held a press conference in Zhuhai International Convention Center, attended by sports and government officials. 

The conference announced that WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai is a newly established event set up by the WTA  Women’s Tennis Association, co-sponsored by the Chinese Tennis Association (CTA) and Zhuhai Municipal People’s Government, and organized by Huafa Group. It will be held in Zhuhai for five consecutive years from 2015 to 2019. The first event will open in Zhuhai Hengqin International Tennis Center on November 2 – 11.International female tennis players will come here to compete..

 “Top Event by World-class Superstars in A World-Class City”

In recent years, tennis has developed rapidly in China and Chinese players have made great achievements. Meanwhile, supported by WTA and other international organizations, a number of tennis events were arranged in China, including several world-class tournaments. WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai, which has just joined the WTA family , is one of the top tennis events in China.

Champions at WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai can win 700 tennis points and USD 2.15 million. The event is a mandatory tournament, with players to participate as singles players with 1 wild entry for singles and 2 wild entries for doubles. Singles players are divided into four groups, and the winner of each group will enter the single knockout; doubles players are divided into six pairs as two groups to take round robin system, and the winners of each group will enter the finals.

“WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai is a top event delivered by world-class superstars in a world-class city, which is really the best match for WTA. We are very pleased to promote women’s  tennis in China. The foresight of Zhuhai Municipal Government will certainly create a successful event for the players, the media and the fans.” Stacey Allaster said in her address, adding that WTA will hold six events in China in 2015, five of which are the Asian tour after the U.S. Open. By then, the tennis world will look to Asia and China in particular, as well as this new event.

WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai has entered the stage of full preparation. Its Preparatory Committee has been set up and is now organizing venue construction, promotion, transport, security, health care, volunteering and other work.

At the conference, Stacey Allaster, Li Lingwei, Long Guangyan and Zhuhai Huafa Group’s Deputy General Manager Guo Lingyong jointly launched the official website for WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai (URL: http://www.wtaelitetrophy.com/) following its official microblog and WeChat.

Building the Event with Resources of Hong Kong and Macao

Zhuhai has six advantages as a host city: a top location – the Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao international metropolitan area. It has a top environment – Zhuhai is China’s most livable city;a  top grade – it is China’s 3rd largest female tennis event; top players – each competition is between strong players; a top venue – Zhuhai Hengqin International Tennis Center built according to top international standards; and top partners – APG, which has operated 30 international tennis events.

In his(her) speech, Long Guangyan said Zhuhai is a beautiful garden-like seaside city with an excellent environment and the vigor of youth. Hengqing Port has realized 24-hour clearance, so Zhuhai has closer links to Hong Kong and Macao. “We will try our best to build WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai into a tournament favored by all to provide players, audiences and media friends with a comfortable tennis experience.”

According to reports, as an international and professional sporting event, WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai not only offers wonderful tennis matches but also an iconic cultural and sports carnival. By launching colorful activities, local food and souvenirs, it will provide interactive experiences and charm. In addition, the event this year coincides with the second China International Circus Festival, so visitors will not only enjoy tennis but also top international circus programs.

Li Lingwei also said in his(her?) speech that, a month ago, Hengqin was approved as a free trade area, so Zhuhai once again became a pioneer. In the future, Hengqin will be an important pole in the Zhuhai-Hong Kong-Macao metropolitan area and a world-class travel center. With Hengqin Port’s 24-hour clearance and the upcoming completion of Zhuhai-Hong Kong-Macao Bridge, Zhuhai will welcome guests from all over the world. All of these will provide a sound environment and opportunity for Zhuhai to develop tennis.

“We are very willing to make full use of Zhuhai’s advantages and resources to build the ‘WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai’, so that tennis, will gain greater influence,” said Li Lingwei.

Hengqin International Tennis Center nears Completion

Construction of the venue for WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai – Zhuhai Hengqin International Tennis Center was the subject of a conference yesterday. After the conference, leaders and guests came to Hengqin to visit the construction site and temporary exhibition hall.

Zhuhai Hengqin International Tennis Center is located in the center of Hengqin New Area with a total area of 148,000 square meters. The planning includes two phases. Phase I project will include the construction of one 5,000-seat central court, one 1,500-seat outdoor court, four 250-seat game courts and twelve outdoor training courts. Phase II will include a 12,000-seat top venue as well as a cultural exhibition area, indoor training center, athletes’ apartments, supporting services center and other facilities.

The Tennis Center’s planning, construction, landscape, and related research are led by Populous, a global leader in sport venue design, which also organized an elite design team with Beijing Architectural Design Research Institute. Populous has participated in eleven Summer and Winter Olympics since 1996 with major works including Transformation Wimbledon Center Court and Melbourne Park - the Australian Open.

A principal of Huafa Group said the Tennis Center paid special attention to viewing experience and audience comfort. Outside, it will build a tree-lined tennis park; inside, it adopts a rough and smooth oyster shell and soft color. The venues use sea blue for infields and dark green for outfields, highlighting the marine culture and Pearl River Delta region.

Construction of has been progressing smoothly since it started last September. Now the architectural design has basically been completed, with landscape and indoor design both entering preliminary design. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of February. The Phase 1 pole foundation has been basically completed, the first layer terrace of the central court is half complete, and 8 of 12 training fields are under construction and are expected to be completed in September.