World No.1 Angelique Kerber headlines Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open All-Star lineup
[Sponsored Article]
Organised by the Hong Kong Tennis Association (HKTA) and financially supported by the Mega Events Fund, the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open (PHKTO) is a USD250,000 WTA Tour International Series event scheduled to take place at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium from October 8-16, 2016.
Prudential Hong Kong Limited is the Title Sponsor of the event for the third year running.
Newly-crowned world No. 1, Angelique Kerber, who is fresh off her triumph at Flushing Meadows, headlines an All-Star field.
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, and 2011 US Open champion Samantha Stosur, are just some of the world's best female players who are competing this year.
An earlier announcement also confirmed the participation of defending champion Jelena Jankovic, world number thirteen Johanna Konta, reigning Asian Games women's singles champion Wang Qiang, and French Open 2016 doubles champions Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic.
HKTA President, Philip Mok, enthused, "We're in our third year and the lineup is getting stronger and stronger each time. To be able to see so many great players up close and personal is definitely inspiring to our local players."
Preceding immediately before the main draw matches on October 10, a public holiday, is a spectacular opening ceremony featuring a dragon dance and a captivating free-style tennis performance. A number of the WTA players, local community leaders, and non-tennis athletes will also be participating in PHKTO's main fundraiser "CAN Challenge", which resonates further this year's theme of "Tennis for All".
Qualifying matches from October 8-9 are free of admission. The tournament village, which is open to the public, will be jam-packed with games for fans, giant screen broadcasts, refreshments, and the chance to get players' autographs.
"Bounce for Tennis", another charity activity, is a collaboration between the HKTA and its "Official Mall Partner", Lee Gardens. Fans can customize their own tennis balls for just HK$50 for a good cause. "Air Tennis", an interactive VR game, is available at Hysan Place. From October 15-16, organisers will also set up a "FANZONE" on Pak Sha Road, Causeway Bay, a designated pedestrian-only area on the weekends where fans can participate further.