Taipei to Host its First Ever WTA Challenger Event
May 18, 2012
Taipei, Taiwan will host its first ever challenger event under the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) in October.
The Taipei Ladies Open has been upgraded to part of the WTA’s new challenger series, with the prize money raised to US$125,000 said the OEC Group, sponsor of the tournament.
The OEC games will be held at Taipei Arena, a state-of-the-art venue in Taiwan, OEC President, Robert Han, said. Han expects the upgrade of the competition will help to attract more high profile international players.
Taipei Sports Minister, Tai Hsia-ling, said she hopes the competition would “bring together international talent and facilitate exchange of techniques and experience.”
Peter Johnston, managing director of WTA’s Asia Pacific region, believes Taipei is an ideal venue for a WTA challenger event.
“We want to come to a city that embraces the tournament,” he said.
“Tennis is growing here. We want to make sure the WTA is helping (that trend).”
After Taipei, another city in Asia will be chosen to host the next WTA challenger this year.
Further details about the other Asian venue will be annnounced shortly.