The WTA Tour is about to make history.As part of the celebration of the Tour’s 30th anniversary, the Tour is announcing a new format for the prestigious season-ending WTA Tour Championships presented by Porsche that will pay the singles winner $1 million (USD), which is the most lucrative prize in women’s sports history.

Starting this year, the Championships, scheduled for November 5-10, 2003 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, will have its format change from a 16-player single-elimination singles event to an eight-player round robin singles tournament with the winner collecting the record-setting prize check, surpassing the $900,000 earned by the 2002 U.S. Open women’s singles champion.

The doubles draw of the Championships will go from an eight-team single elimination format to a four-team single elimination event with the winning team sharing $250,000.

‘I think the format is good for a few reasons. Even if you lose a really tight, tough match, you’ll be able to stay in the Tournament with this format. It should be better for the fans, too, with seeing some of the top players in more matches,’’ World No. 6 Jennifer Capriati said. ‘As for the prize money, it’s a pretty awesome amount. It just shows how strong women’s tennis is and how it just keeps getting better.’’

The top eight singles players in the WTA Tour Porsche Race to the Championships Point Standings will qualify for the Championships. These competitors will be divided into two groups of four players. Each player will face the other three players in her group, guaranteeing that fans will see each player compete at least three times. The two competitors from each group with the best record will advance to a single-elimination semifinal round, and the winners will face each other in the final. For instance, the winner from Group A would face the runner-up from Group B in one semifinal, while the winner from Group B would face the runner-up from Group A.

The doubles portion of the Championships will consists of the top four doubles teams in the WTA Tour Porsche Race to the Championships Point Standings competing in a single-elimination format.

‘Our new format ensures that fans will be treated to the absolute biggest names and best rivalries that the WTA Tour has to offer,’’ acting WTA Tour President and COO Josh Ripple said.

‘The $1 million winner’s prize only adds to the intrigue and drama of this unique event, and reflects the tremendous growth and success that women’s tennis has enjoyed in the past year. This will be an event tennis fans won’t want to miss.’’

For further infromation please contact:

Sanex WTA Tour
Veronique Beaujardin,
Communications Manager,
T: +44 20 8392 4760
F: +44 20 8392 4765
E: vbeaujardin@sanexwta.com