Maria Sharapova will return to the place which kicked-started her ascend to SW19 earlier this summer, as she heads a stellar line-up for the 2005 Watsons Water Champions Challenge presented by the Hong Kong Tennis Patrons' Association, which will also feature four-time Grand Slam singles winner, Venus Williams; reigning US Open champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia; and Amelie Mauresmo of France, who reached the world No. 1 ranking earlier this year.
The Watsons Water Champions Challenge 2005 will once again take place prior to the season's first Grand Slam ? the Australian Open ? and will be staged at the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium from January 5th - 8th. The event will feature eight world-class female players competing in a Singles & Doubles competition. Details of the remaining four players in the field will be announced in due course. Tickets will go on sale in early December. For further information, please contact the Tournament Information Hotline on 2311 4000.
Unlike the mixed event staged this January, next year's tournament will only feature a ladies' competition, as the 2004 edition received special government backing due to the concerted effort to help promote tourism in the territory at the aftermath of SARS in 2003, while the HKTPA also cited the unavailability of both Roger Federer and Andy Roddick for next year's tournament.
President of the HKTPA, Mr. Colvin Brown said, "Even the casual sports observer will now have heard of the glamorous Russian Maria Sharapova who won Wimbledon this year. She has just also won back to back tournaments in Asia, the Korea Open and the Japan Open, and we know she loves coming to Hong Kong. Maria is the hottest player in the world and she?s already crossed the sports pages into the entertainment columns and has instantly become a celebrity icon. Hong Kong is proud to be inviting Maria back."
At the Watsons Water Champions Challenge of last year, Sharapova defeated compatriot, Elena Dementieva, first up before losing to Venus Williams in the final, 7-5, 6-3.
Players' Brief:
VENUS WILLIAMS (USA) ? Ranking 12
4 Grand Slam Singles Titles - Wimbledon 2000-2001, US Open 2000-2001
6 Grand Slam Doubles Titles (with sister Serena) - Wimbledon 2000, 2002; Australian Open 2001, 2003; US Open 1999; Roland Garros 1999
2 Grand Slam Mixed Doubles Titles - Australian Open 1998; Roland Garros 1998
Winner of 31 WTA Tour Singles Titles & Winner of 10 WTA Tour Doubles Titles
2000 Sydney Olympic Games Singles & Doubles Gold Medallist
Appeared in Forbes Celebrity Magazine in July 2004
AMELIE MAURESMO (FRA) ? Ranking 1
World No. 1
Silver Medallist at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games
Winner of 13 WTA Tour Singles Titles
Member of the French Fed Cup Team
Junior Champion of Roland Garros and Wimbledon
Official Ambassador for Habitat for Humanity
MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS) ? Ranking 10
2004 Wimbledon Champion ? 2nd youngest Ladies' Singles Champion at 17yrs 2mths after Martina Hingis
Winner of 4 WTA Tour Singles Titles & 4 ITF Singles Titles
Winner of 3 WTA Tour Doubles Titles
Nominated for the Laureus World Newcomer of the Year Award 2004
Has been featured on numerous television shows to include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Entertainment Tonight, Inside Edition and Access Hollywood
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS) ? Ranking 5
2004 US Open Champion ? the first Russian US Open Champion
Winner of 4 WTA Tour Singles Titles
Winner of 10 WTA Tour Doubles Titles
Member of the 2004 Russian Federation Cup and Olympic Teams
Named 2002 WTA Tour Newcomer of the Year
Father: Alexandr Kuznetsova) ? cycling coach of five Olympic & World Champions; Mother: Galina Tsareva ? six-time World Champion and holder of 20 world records; Brother: Nikolai - silver medallist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games
For tickets and information:
Communications & Promotions Division
KCE Sport & Entertainment
Contact: Mr. Brian Catton, Mr. Terry Catton, or Ms. Semeul Shing
Tel: (852) 2723 8721
Fax: (852) 2311 0040
E-mail: general@kcesport.com.hk