Huajin Securities, a Shanghai-based brokerage firm, will title sponsor the inaugural Elite Trophy tennis tournament in Zhuhai, the Women’s Tennis Association has confirmed.
The event, which begins in the Chinese city of Zhuhai on November 3, has also unveiled ‘Shine In Zhuhai’ as its signature slogan.
The Elite Trophy was conceived last year after the WTA took the decision to revamp its Tournament of Champions, an event for players who failed to qualify for the WTA Finals.
The tournament will be held at Zhuhai’s new tennis centre and will consist of the 11 players ranked from No.9, currently Karolina Pliskova (pictured), in the world to No.20, plus one wildcard player. The 12 players will be split into four groups, with each group-winner progressing to the semi-final stage. There will also be a doubles tournament.
Peter Johnston, WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai tournament director, said: “The momentum is continuing to build for the first edition of the event. We have an amazing new stadium and venue, an exciting player field featuring the world’s best female tennis players, and now we have a dynamic company in Huajin Securities as our title sponsor.”
Zhuhai will host the event annually until 2019.