(Hong Kong, October 27th, 2009) Stars and heroes are lined up for the Hong Kong Tennis Classic 2010. The city’s showpiece event will feature four of the World’s Top Ten, plus five Grand Slam Champions, and it takes on an exciting new twist with the inclusion of four male legends.  Next January, teams from four regions of the world will consist of two ladies and a man, the male player adding big name appeal to a star studded female cast. Athletes include US Open finalist and World No. 4 Caroline Wozniacki, and Sony Ericsson Open champion and World No. 6 Victoria Azarenka who will both represent Team Europe. Opposing divas Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams will represent Team Russia and Team Americas respectively, and they will be supported by World No. 9 Russian Vera Zvonareva and Argentina’s No. 1 Gisela Dulko.  Sports icon and proud Chinese Zheng Jie headlines a determined Team Asia Pacific - the shy but tough Sichuan heroine is the new darling of the Hong Kong crowd - and her team mate is Ayumi Morita, Japan’s No. 1 player.

Four male heroes line up alongside their illustrious female compatriots. Team Americas showcase former superstar Michael Chang, who makes a welcome return to Hong Kong. The Chinese American was wildly popular in his prime and still punches above his weight; he has a French Open crown to his name. Team Asia Pacific boasts Thai heartthrob Paradorn Srichaphan who recently returned to the world circuit and he adds power and spice to their team.  Dashing Swede and former Wimbledon Champion Stefan Edberg brings his serve and volley style and quiet charisma to an accomplished Team Europe. And Team Russia packs big gun Marat Safin, although the handsome Russian will end his official ATP career this year.

The new team format will feature women’s & men’s singles and mixed doubles matches over four days of action packed tennis at Victoria Park.

TPA President Ian Wade said “We’re thrilled by the quality of our field and our unique format, a first in tennis history we believe, it should be highly competitive and a lot of fun. We can truly say we’ll be seeing “stars and heroes,” and fans will smile in anticipation at the new twist in our line up. It’s terrific, I’m happy and I hope our many sponsors and patrons are too.”

The Hong Kong Tennis Classic 2010 will receive funding from the Mega Events Fund, and this support has enabled the TPA to bring a host of big names to Hong Kong. The event will also continue to be supported by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Information Services Department.

Mr. Wade underlined his thanks to the different government agencies and sponsors, “Hong Kong can be proud it is bringing this cast of stars to its shores. The Mega Events Fund has given the local community, and Hong Kong’s profile an immense international boost, we’re proud of our city and we thank the Mega Events Fund deeply for their belief and support. We are also indebted to the LCSD and the ISD who back us so well every year. To all our sponsors we also say ‘thank you’, and especially Canon HongKong Co., Ltd, Cathay Pacific Airways and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. This is Hong Kong operating at its best.”

With the unique quality of the field, the TPA will appoint a travel agent to develop tourist packages to include air travel, hotel accommodation & tickets to the event and to promote tennis to fans in the region. The TPA will also work with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to promote the event to overseas visitors. Mr. Wade added “the tourist packages will be attractively priced and contain elements to make them especially appealing.”

Tickets for the Hong Kong Tennis Classic will be on sale from the beginning of December. Details will be announced in due course.

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* Any opinions or recommendations expressed in this material / any activities organized under this event do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or the Mega Events Fund Assessment Committee.

For more information, please contact the following:
KCE Sport and Entertainment
Mr. Terry Catton, Co-Tournament Director
Ms. Amy Tsang, PR & Communications Manager 
Tel: (852) 2723 8721
Email: amy@kcesport.com.hk