Team Russia were awarded their trophies and crowned champions of the Hong Kong Tennis Classic 2011 at the glitzy presentation ceremony, as Team Europe took home the runner’s up. All the sponsors and everyone involved in ensuring the phenomenal success of the tournament were thanked, and the Tournament Referee (who is also the current Wimbledon Tournament Referee) Andrew Jarrett, and world-class umpire James Keothavong, were presented with Elemis gifts.

Team Europe’s captain, World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, was invited to say a few words before her team received their runner’s up trophies and Mumm Champagne and she was full of thanks for all the sponsors for making the event possible and for all the fans for supporting it.

“We’ve had amazing support all week – I love coming to Hong Kong! It’s amazing to think that I came here for the first time when I was 16 and I am now captain of Team Europe. It is incredible for me to be able to start the year here. Congratulations to Team Russia for beating us for the 2^nd year in a row – perhaps the third time we will be lucky! Hong Kong is like a second home and I look forward to coming back next year.”

Vera Zvonareva, as captain of the victorious Team Russia, spoke next and she was also very grateful to the amazing contributions and support given to the tournament by the sponsors and the fans.

“Thanks to the wonderful tennis fans for coming out and supporting us and to all the sponsors – without you there would be no event here in Hong Kong. I’d like to thank my team – Yevgeny and Maria, you’ve done a great job and I’m very happy to be able to defend Team Russia’s title. Hong Kong is the best place for me to start the new season and I hope to be back next year. See you all next year!”

This year we really saw some fabulous tennis, entertaining antics from the legends, and great sportsmanship (thinking especially of Edberg leaping over the net to congratulate Kafelnikov on a fantastic shot in the men’s finals). We can’t wait until next year now when we can do it all over again!    

Vera Zvonareva powered her way to a convincing win against World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki in a surprisingly quick match – 6-1, 6-0, in under an hour. Right from the beginning Zvonareva was incredibly focused, out there to win at all costs. An aggressive, attacking style of play left Wozniacki looking in shock as the balls whizzed past her, out of reach. Zvonareva was in a purple patch throughout the match, hitting every shot perfectly. Constantly ready to pounce, she hammered ball after ball across the net.

The men’s Gold Singles Final featuring Team Europe’s Stefan Edberg and Team Russia’s Yevgeny Kafelnikov, two true gentlemen of the game, entertained everyone in the crowd. Edberg was the final victor, winning 6-4, 6-0, although the match was far closer than reflected in the score. The crowd went wild on several occasions as the two men played beautiful tennis, with long rallies and clever shots. They both put their all into the game and seemed to enjoy playing it as much as we all did watching it, a few times congratulating each other on fantastic shots! It was wonderful to see two legendary players at their very best (even if they did have to stop for a while to take a breather after long rallies!)