WTA Agrees Deals that will Strengthen its Presence in Asia

The Women’s Tennis Association has agreed two new commercial deals that will strengthen its presence in Asia.

The WTA has signed agreements with California Products and its DecoTurf and Plexipave brands that will see them become the official court surfaces of the WTA and of the WTA’s Tennis Festivals in Guangzhou and Beijing.

WTA Managing Director, Peter Johnston, said the WTA’s success and growth in China and the rest of Asia in recent years is largely because of its partnerships it has formed with brands like California Products.

“Partnering with California Products will allow us to provide the very best playing surfaces at both a grassroots and professional level, furthering the popularity of the game,” he said.

Chinese clothing brand Erke is the WTA’s other new sponsor.

Erke will be the official partner and supplier of sports apparel for all on-court officials at the 2012 and 2013 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships in Istanbul.

Erke Chairman and President, Wu Rongguang, said: “The partnership with the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships is a perfect stage to show the ERKE brand image to the world.”

Erke has agreed sponsorship deals with WTA players such as Yanina Wickmayer and Vania King and will be the Official Apparel Partner of the ATP’s Shanghai Masters tournament from 2009 to 2013.{jcomments on}