The WTA Finals are taking place this week at Singapore Indoor Stadium "for the last time," and WTA CEO Steve Simon expects the number of fans to "surpass last year's 133,000," according to Nicole Chia of the STRAITS TIMES. Simon said, "There is no question that the WTA Finals and its product and its brand of an event is at a significantly higher level than it was five years ago. ... When I came here the first year, you could have heard a pin drop in the stadium because everybody was so polite and fun and pristine." Simon added, "When you watch the matches now, there is a lot of energy, fun, enjoyment, entertainment, which I think really shows the growth." The WTA Finals will move to Shenzhen, China, next year as part of a 10-year deal that will see the "current prize purse doubled" to US$14M (STRAITS TIMES, 10/25). Simon said the WTA Finals' growth has "been amazing," especially considering that "tennis was new to Singapore when we brought it here five years ago." Simon: "Now there is a true interest in and following of the sport in this city. ... They did take a chance on this event and building something in a market that didn't have tennis." Simon said Shenzhen has a "real vibe in that city that's special." He said, "To see them come in and want to invest, not only in the event but the statement around women's empowerment and how can we do more for women and equality, was really powerful for us" (TENNIS.com, 10/24).
EYE ON THE FUTURE: Simon said the emergence of Naomi Osaka has been "terrific" for the tour. Osaka is a "wonderful young woman, a great athlete, a dynamic player and you can see the excitement that she's created." Simon: "She moves the needle, for sure." Simon also said the WTA is "proving" it is ready to survive the eventual retirements of Serena and Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova with the emergence of young stars like Osaka. He said the WTA has a "pretty exciting future" based on the potential of players like Osaka and Wang Qiang (TENNIS.com, 10/24).
