WTA Organizers Hoping To Bring Li Na To Hong Kong's September Return To Pro Tennis

Australian Open champion Li Na is "being wooed to headline" Hong Kong's return to the world of professional tennis in September -- "in the WTA Championship at Victoria Park," according to Alvin Sallay of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. Tournament Dir Stephen Duckitt said of Li, "We have approached her and made her an offer. I spoke to her agent in the first week of the Australian Open in Melbourne and said Hong Kong was keen to have her at our tournament. We hope she will agree but if that doesn't happen, it is not the end of the world." The city will "welcome back a professional tournament" after more than a decade without one. The new Women's Tennis Association Int'l Series event "was won with a HK$15.5 million government grant last year." Run by the Hong Kong Tennis Association, the "32-draw singles event (doubles will feature too) will be played for a purse" of $250,000 from Sept. 8-14 (SCMP, 2/9).