China’s plans for hosting the WTA Finals has hit a slight blip after it was confirmed that the stadium set to be built for the tournament won’t be ready in 2019.
From next year Shenzhen will host the year-end tournament until 2028 in a multi-million dollar deal with the WTA. In the proposals, Chinese real estate developers Gemdale Corporation has pledged to build a new venue in the down-town area of the city. A facility that is set to have a capacity of 12,000 people with an estimated construction cost of $450 million.
“This will easily be the largest and most significant WTA Finals deal in the 45 years since the WTA was founded and promises to take the event to a spectacular new level.” WTA CEO Steve Simon said in January.
Despite the extravagant plans, it has been confirmed that Shenzhen’s first year of hosting the event will not be at the new stadium. Which will not be ready until 2020. Instead, it will take place at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Where the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2011 Summer Universiade took place. It has a capacity of up to 13,000 spectators.
Online publication Sports Business Daily (SBD) has confirmed the current situation concerning Shenzhen following information provided by the president of the WTA. Micky Lawler told SBD that there was always a ‘likelihood the venue would not be ready until 2020.’ Blaming the delay on negotiations that had to take place prior with local businesses. Under the plan, nearby shops will need to be torn down.
From next year, prize money at the WTA Finals will surge to a record pool of $14 million. The event features the eight best singles players and doubles teams in the world. The competition is played in a round robin format with the top two in each of the group stages progressing to the semifinals.
Singapore will host the event for one last time next week after holding the rights since 2014. Caroline Wozniacki is the defending champion.
