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The inaugural Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open, which will feature a prize purse of US$2.5 million, is scheduled for 21st to 27th September 2014.
The new tournament is one of ten WTA events in China this year and one of the six to take place in the Asian Swing after the US Open, the year’s final Grand Slam.
“I’m so proud that my city is staging such a prestigious tournament,” said Li Na, one of the 19 of the world’s top 20 ranked players to have entered the Wuhan event. “I am very excited about being part of such a strong field of players and I can’t wait to get on court and play in front of my home crowd.”
Peter Johnson, the WTA’s managing director of the Asia Pacific region described the tournament as a “monumental moment in the development of the WTA and women’s tennis in China”, adding: “The players will compete in one of the world’s great new tennis venues, built thanks to the vision and commitment shown by the Wuhan Municipal government.
“Li Na’s achievements, combined with this Government vision, will showcase the beautiful city of Wuhan to the world and inspire the next generation of Li Nas to play tennis.”
The WTA deal is the second major sponsorship agreement signed by Chinese carmaker Dongfeng, which is looking to expand internationally. The company’s commercial vehicle division is sponsoring a boat which will compete in the 2014/15 Volvo Ocean Race.
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