The season-ending BNP Paribas WTA Finals was held in Singapore for the first time last week and WTA Chair & CEO Stacey Allaster gave the event a "10 out of 10," according to Chua Siang Yee of the Singapore STRAITS TIMES. Allaster: "It's exceeded our expectations. It has been our collective goal ... to make this the best WTA Finals in our history. We have done it. I can't wait for next year because I think we will continue to build on the excitement." Serena Williams said, "It's been an amazing experience. I've had a wonderful time here. I think everyone has been incredibly hospitable." Yee noted overall attendance for the tournament "stood at 92,000" before the weekend's final matches. Allaster estimated that "it would finish close to 100,000, the first time in a decade that the event has hit six figures." Allaster said of next year's tournament, "We'll have more fan engagement, more dialogue with the players. ... It's the opportunity for the fans to get close. That's what we want to do -- accessibility." Yee noted while the event was "largely successful, it was also hit by a couple of minor snags." There was a "roof leakage" at Singapore Indoor Stadium during some doubles matches last Wednesday. There also were "blinding spotlights" at the venue that drew criticism from Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki (Singapore STRAITS TIMES, 10/26).
NATION STATE: The AP reported the WTA "is considering setting up its own World Cup team event, separate from the existing Fed Cup organized by the ITF." Allaster said that the event "is still in its embryonic stages, but initial plans are for an eight-team event held in one city over five days." The event "would include seven invited teams based on rankings, and one wild card" (AP, 10/25). Allaster: "It's a shame that the players don't own the Grand Slams. That was one of the biggest mistakes that we've made. I don't want to make the same mistake" (Singapore STRAITS TIMES, 10/26).
