Steffie Graf

Retired tennis legend Steffie Graf, whose picture graces banners throughout the city, will make her first appearance at an official event in the Chinese Mainland at the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai. Named WTA ambassador in May when she committed to Zhuhai, Graf will meet fans, lecture, and make presentations from Nov 1 to 6, according to the event’s organizing committee.

Tennis legend Steffie Graf

As ambassador, Graf will coach teenage tennis players from Zhuhai, Hong Kong, and Macao at a charity workshop on Nov 5. 

Furthermore, Germany's 22-time Grand Slam winner will attend a media and public exchange meeting on the Garden Stage outside the Hengqin International Tennis Center on Nov 6. She will share stories and give away limited-edition autographed photographs and posters. Graf will toss the coin before the finals and present the trophy to the winner.

The head of Graf’s Chinese fan club expressed heartfelt wishes on behalf of her numerous fans saying, “Graf is the reason that many of us in the fan club fell in love with tennis.”

“Most of our members will come to Zhuhai from all parts of the country to see our goddess. We have also prepared many special gifts for her in the hope that she can feel the passion of her Chinese fans,” the person said.

Hengqin International Tennis Center [Photos / Zhuhai Daily]

The WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai features 11 of the top-ranked singles players along with one wild card and four of the top doubles teams, along with two team wild cards. The $2.21 million event, with 700 ranking points for the winner, will feature some of the top players in the world, according to the WTA.