SHENZHEN. China - With just 20 days to go until the WTA's biggest stars compete for glory at the Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen, Hall of Famer Mary Pierce has joined the ranks for another tenure as a Legend Ambassador.
The Frenchwoman, who was previously in the role at the tournament for four years in Singapore, will return for the inaugural edition of the WTA's showpiece event as it moves to China later this month.
No stranger to the season-ending tournament as a player, the two-time Grand Slam champion qualified for the WTA Finals event seven times and was runner-up twice, in 1997 and 2005.
"I have had such a great experience as a WTA Finals Legend Ambassador and there is so much potential in China now to reach out to more fans," said Pierce.
"I was so honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year alongside one of China’s biggest sports heroes, Li Na, so I am glad for the opportunity to head to Shenzhen and hopefully contribute to inspiring the next generation of tennis players there too.”
The WTA Legend Ambassador program is an integral initiative by the WTA and Gemdale Sports to bring fans greater opportunities to interact with some of the greatest names in women’s tennis during the eight-day tournament from Oct. 27 – Nov. 3, through community and fan engagement activities, tennis clinics and more.
Pierce rounds out a roster of ambassadors which also inclues Agnieszka Radwanska, Alicia Molik, Martina Hingis, Martina Navratilova and Zheng Jie.
The winner of 18 singles titles and 10 doubles titles during her celebrated career, she collected two Grand Slam singles crowns – the Australian Open in 1995 and Roland Garros in 2000.
She also won the Roland Garros doubles title in 2000 with Hingis, and the mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 2005, with Mahesh Bhupathi.
Read more: Li Na, Mary Pierce inducted into Hall of Fame: 'Tennis has taught me so much in life'
Fabrice Chouquet, Managing Director of WTA Asia-Pacific and Co-Tournament Director of the Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen said, "Mary has been such a great supporter of the WTA Finals and we are glad to have her on board in Shenzhen this year. The Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen is in its first year, so to have someone as experienced as Mary to join is really exciting and I’m sure the fans will enjoy hearing about what she has to share about her life and career in tennis."
Eddy Liu, CEO of Gemdale Sports and Co-Tournament Director of the Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen, added: "Mary Pierce is one of the most well-known names in women’s tennis, and we are proud to have her as a Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen Legend Ambassador. We look forward to hosting her in Shenzhen, and I believe the fans will be excited to show her the best of the city so that she will enjoy her time here."
Tickets to the Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen are on sale now at ShiseidoWTAFinalsShenzhen.com, the online home for all updates related to the WTA Finals.