Fast Facts about the Pacific Life Open

Did you know that thirty-one countries are represented in the women’s draw at the 2008 Pacific Life Open? Or that the oldest player in the tournament is twice the age of the youngest?

Join On the Baseline for a look at the facts behind the desert showcase at Indian Wells.

Prize Money and Ranking Points

The Pacific Life Open’s total prize money is $2,100,000 US dollars. The singles champion will receive $332,000 dollars and 465 ranking points, the runner-up is awarded $163,000 dollars and 325 points, and the two women who lose in the semifinals will receive $80,000 and 210 ranking points.

Young and Old

The youngest player in the women’s main draw is the United States’ Melanie Oudin, who turned 16 on September 23, 2007. The oldest player is Japan’s Ai Sugiyama, who turned 32 on July 5, 2007.

The Wild Cards

The Pacific Life Open awarded wild cards to the United States’ Madison Brengle, Angela Haynes, Vania King, Bethanie Mattek, Melanie Oudin and Ahsha Rolle, Poland’s Urszula Radwanska, and Russia’s Anastasia Pivovarova.

Global is Good

Thirty-one nations are represented in this week’s tournament. Russia leads the way with 15 entrants, followed by the United States with 12 and France with nine. Australia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Colombia, Denmark, Greece, India, Israel, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Uzbekistan have just one entrant each.

Champions Holding Court

Maria Sharapova, Daniela Hantuchova, and Lindsay Davenport are the only former champions in the main draw. Sharapova won the tournament in 2006, Hantuchova triumphed twice in 2002 and 2007, and six-time finalist Lindsay Davenport won in 1997 and 2000.

Who’s Missing

Notable absentees include singles No. 1 Justine Henin, the doubles No. 1 team of Cara Black and Liezel Huber, world No. 6 Anna Chakvetadze, and of course, Venus and Serena Williams.

If you enjoyed this tennis article, please sign up for a free subscription!