WTA announces new tournament in Zhuhai, China

A new tournament, the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai, will be held in Zhuhai in southern China from 2015-19, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) announced.

Following on from the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global on the tennis calendar, Zhuhai's 12-player singles field will consist of players ranked between No.9 and No.20, along with one wildcard. The qualifiers will compete in a four-group round robin format, with the winners of each group advancing to the semifinals. The six doubles teams will be split into two round robin groups, with the winner of each advancing to the final.

"This brand new event combining great players, a fantastic new stadium and the magnificent location of Zhuhai is a formula that will make the WTA Elite Trophy a success," WTA Chairman & CEO Stacey Allaster said. "Thanks to the commitment and vision of the Zhuhai government, Huafa Group and Ace Pro Group - APG, the fan experience will be exciting and inspirational, and we will showcase women's tennis and this beautiful city to a global audience through broadcast, digital and social media."

The addition of the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai aligns with the WTA's strategic growth and development within Asia. After opening a Beijing office in 2008, a close partnership with the Chinese government and Tennis Federations has allowed the sport to thrive in the region with audience numbers and participation levels soaring. In 2014, 17 WTA tournaments took place in the Asia-Pacific region.

The WTA Elite Trophy will take place on November 2-8 at the custom-designed, state-of-the-art tennis center in Zhuhai.