Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Bali to offer big bonus in WTA revamp

NUSA DUA, Indonesia: Winners of WTA International events in 2009 will have the chance of a million-dollar bonus at the new season-ending Bali Tournament of Champions, the WTA announced on Monday.

A player who wins three International tournaments plus the wrap-up round-robin Bali event on this tropical island will earn the bonus on top of her prize money.

The tournament will be limited to the top 10 WTA Tour players who have won at least one International title during the season as well two wildcards, although noone who has qualified for the elite season-ending Championships in Doha is eligible.

The Bali event, to be played indoors, will be staged from Nov 4-8 and feature a 12-woman round robin singles format , with $600,000 in prize money.

Officials at the popular tournament are looking forward to taking it to a new level.

"We are delighted that one of the most popular locations on the tour has been chosen Tournament of Champions," said tournament director Kevin Livesey.

The revamp is part of ambitious new plans for the women's game in 2009, with innovations including four mandatory mega-events in Beijing, Madrid, Miami and Indian Wells, California.

Source: China Daily/Agencies

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