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News Release
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
MARTINA NAVRATILOVA RETURNS TO SINGAPORE AS OFFICIAL
LEGEND AMBASSADOR FOR THE BNP PARIBAS WTA FINALS
SINGAPORE PRESENTED BY SC GLOBAL
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA -- The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced today that International
Tennis Hall of Famer and namesake of the WTA Finals doubles trophy, Martina Navratilova, will return as
an Official Legend Ambassador for the 2015 BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore, presented by SC Global.
The WTA Finals features a record $7 million purse and includes an expanded format featuring eight days of
competition taking place from October 23-November 1. The event will be hosted in Singapore through
2018.
Once again, Navratilova will compete in the WTA Legends Classic in Singapore and will support and
promote the “Road to Singapore”, a season-long campaign which will follow the WTA stars and WTA Rising
Stars on their quest to qualify and compete in the season finale.
Navratilova is one of the most decorated women in the history of tennis. She has been crowned champion
of the WTA Finals a record 19 times, eight in singles and 11 in doubles. She captured 59 Grand Slam titles
during her illustrious career – 18 singles, 31 doubles, 10 mixed doubles – and owns WTA records for singles
titles (167), doubles titles (177) and career match wins (1,442).
”I’m absolutely delighted to return to Singapore for the WTA Finals,” said Navratilova. “The fans are
incredible and they have embraced the stars of the WTA – past, present and future. I was especially
honored to unveil the Martina Navratilova doubles trophy at last year’s event and can’t wait to see who I’ll
be presenting it to this year.”
“We are committed to delivering a premium sport entertainment spectacle that is accessible to the
community and inspires youth through sport,” said Stacey Allaster, WTA Chairman and CEO. “From the
incredible tennis played each and every match to the coaching seminars and clinics for youth, there truly is
something for anyone at any age at this 10 day sport entertainment extravaganza.”
Singapore became the ninth city to host the WTA Finals in 2014 joining Boca Raton (1972-73), Los Angeles
(1974-76, 2002-05), Oakland (1978), New York City (1977, 1979-2000), Munich (2001), Madrid (2006-07),
Doha (2008-10) and Istanbul (2011-13).
In 2015, fans and spectators of the WTA Finals can expect the WTA to amplify fan engagement efforts by
building a deeper connection with the fan base, delivering richer, more compelling digital content and
creating money can’t buy experiences all in an effort to further its vision to become the most fan-friendly
sport entertainment experience on earth.
Last year, new milestones were set at the WTA Finals with record highs for attendance, TV viewing and
online audiences as fans from around the world traveled to Singapore and tuned in to the exciting 10-day
sport entertainment extravaganza showcasing the world’s best female athletes. The event attracted
129,000 spectators and 93,000 fans flocked to the Singapore Sports Hub to enjoy 10 days of on- and offcourt sport and entertainment in the stadium, as well as in the fan festival which offered free access to the
public.
On January 31 after the ladies Australian Open champion has been crowned, the WTA will reveal the Top 8
players on the Road to Singapore Leaderboard at www.wtatennis.com. The full leaderboard will be
published on Monday, February 2.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Bowler, WTA, +44. 78.8596.6355, [email protected]
Anica Bussell, Fast Track, +65 9129 4652, [email protected]
About WTA:
The WTA is the global leader in women’s professional sport with more than 2,500 players representing 92 nations competing for a record $129 million in prize money at
the WTA’s 55 events and four Grand Slams in 33 countries. More than 5.4 million people attended women’s tennis events in 2013 with millions more watching on
television and digital channels around the world. The 2015 WTA competitive season concludes with the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore, presented by SC Global,
from October 23-November 1, 2015 and the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai, China, from November 2-8, 2015. Further information on the WTA can be found at:
www.wtatennis.com; facebook.com/WTA and twitter.com/WTA.
About World Sport Group: World Sport Group (WSG) is Asia’s largest sports marketing, media and event management company. The Group is involved in delivering almost 600 sporting events
annually and more than 5,000 hours of sport programming across more than 30 countries in the region. WSG is the exclusive marketing, media and event partner to the
region’s leading sporting bodies, major events, sporting venues, athletes, sponsors and broadcasters. WSG’s parent company, Lagardère, is a world-class diversified media group (Book and e-Publishing; Travel Retail and Distribution; Press, Audiovisual, Digital and
Advertising Sales Brokerage; Sports and Entertainment). Lagardère shares are listed on Euronext Paris. www.wsgworld.com