WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai: 100 Days Out

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ZHUHAI, China - The Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai kicked off its countdown of 100 days until the third edition of the tournament on Saturday with some big news: 12 of the best players on the WTA will have the chance to compete for an increased purse of $2.28 million over the week of Oct. 31 - Nov. 5.

On Saturday, former WTA World No.1 Jelena Jankovic and Chinese tennis stars Duan Yingying and Ji Chunmei joined in the celebration organized by Huafa Group and APG. The WTA stars met with Zhuhai citizens and learned about grassroots programs that highlight the rapid growth of tennis in the city.

“I am very happy to come back to Zhuhai after I played in 2015,” Jankovic said. “I really enjoyed this amazing city and have very good memories of the support I got from the Chinese fans and also of the hospitality I received from the tournament.”

Singles players with a WTA ranking of No.9-19 and one wildcard will join six doubles teams to compete in a round robin format, with the top four singles players advancing to the semifinals.

"After two successful editions of the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai, we are working hard to present the best experience possible for the fans attending the tournament, and for the ones watching it from home,” said tournament director Jose Miguel Garcia. “The WTA rankings are tighter than ever before which will result in a very strong player field. The beautiful city of Zhuhai will shine for the WTA Elite Trophy.”

WTA legend Stefanie Graf – winner of 107 singles titles, including 22 Grand Slams titles - will continue as the global ambassador of the WTA Elite Trophy in 2017 and will welcome fans and players from all over the world in November to the Hengqin Tennis Center.

Tickets are now on sale at www.wtaelitetrophy.com. Prices are set at an especially fan-friendly level to promote the awareness and popularity of the sport among the general public. The 2016 edition of the tournament was won by Petra Kvitova, and the inaugural edition of the event was won in 2015 by Venus Williams.