ASB Classic Joins 2009 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Calendar
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Jun 5, 2008 | Print | Email | Bookmark | Free Subscription
A new era in women’s professional sport in New Zealand has been formed with the announcement that the ASB Classic will be part of the new 55-tournament Sony Ericsson WTA Tour calendar in 2009 and beyond.
The 2009 event will have Brenda Perry at the helm as tournament director and will also be eligible to potentially secure a top-10 ranked player who has met Tour commitments.
Not only will the event have a new tournament director, but there will be an increase in prize money as well as new rulings which allow better player accessibility, plus the future of the tournament have been secured.
“The new structure is aimed to create a healthier Tour and business enhancing women’s tennis for players, tournaments, media and fans alike and I believe it will impact positively on the ASB Classic,” said Perry in a release issued by the tournament.
“It is fantastic to see the ASB Classic and tennis in New Zealand be part of the biggest changes in international women’s tennis since the WTA Tour was founded 35 years ago by Billie Jean King.”
The ASB Classic will significantly increase its value in prize money from the 2008 amount of US$145,000 to the new total of US$225,000 for the January 5-10 event.
This increase has been made possible by ASB’s renewed commitment to the ASB Classic as the premier long-term partner of the event.
The tournament also welcomes Zealandia as a supporting partner which helped retain the event on the WTA calendar for 2009 and beyond.
The 2008 winner of the ASB Classic was Lindsay Davenport who beat Frenchwoman Aravane Rezai in the final. Marina Erakovic, New Zealand’s No. 1 player, reached the semifinals and has since gone on to become a top-80 ranked player.
The 2009 ASB Classic will be held from January 5-10, 2009 at the ASB Tennis Centre.
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