German legend reprising role as Zhuhai tournament ambassador

Tennis legend Steffi Graf is returning as ambassador for the 2017 WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai, helping promote the third edition of the prestigious year-end event.

The tournament, which features the world's top 20 female players in a singles and doubles round-robin format, will be staged at Hengqin Tennis Center in the coastal city of Zhuhai, near Hong Kong, from Oct 31 to Nov 5.

Venus Williams was the event's inaugural singles champion, while Petra Kvitova was last year's winner.

"I am excited to be returning to the WTA Elite Trophy as the tournament ambassador again for 2017," 22-time Grand Slam champion Graf said on Thursday.

"Last year was my first visit to China and the beautiful city of Zhuhai. It was an incredible experience meeting all the Chinese fans, playing tennis on the new (Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao) bridge and watching the final.

"I'm looking forward to more great tennis and learning more about the city and the culture."

Graf, 47, is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, winning 107 WTA singles titles and owning the world No 1 ranking for a record 377 weeks.

In 1988, the German became the first player to achieve the golden slam by winning all four majors and the Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year. She is also the only player to have won each Grand Slam event at least four times.

The Tennis Hall of Famer was a huge hit in Zhuhai last November as the ambassador of the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai and attended a series of promotional activities, including a visit to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge for an exhibition that attracted media and fans from all over the world.

"It is a great honor for the WTA Elite Trophy to welcome Steffi back to Zhuhai as our ambassador," said tournament director Jose Miguel Garcia.

"She is an amazing champion and a role model who will continue to inspire future generations of players."

WTA CEO Steve Simon echoed that sentiment.

"As one of the sport's greatest players, Steffi's commitment to participating in clinics and promotional activities introducing tennis to children and fans in Zhuhai will enhance the growing tennis culture being developed in China," said Simon.

Xu Rong, vice-chairman of tournament organizers Zhuhai Huafa Group Co Ltd, is also thrilled about Graf's return.

"Steffi is such a legendary champion and has had such a glorious career," he said.

"It is our pleasure to welcome her back. We can't wait to see her visit our beautiful city and magnificent Hengqin Center again."

Presented by Huafa Sports, a subsidiary of the renowned Huafa Group, the WTA Elite Trophy was established in 2015 in partnership with APG, a tailor-made event created by the WTA for the coastal city adjacent to Macao and Hong Kong.

This year's prize money totals $2.28 million, with 700 ranking points awarded to the singles champion.

China Daily