Finals set for China return

After being staged at interim venues elsewhere due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WTA Finals are expected to return to Chinese city Shenzhen next year, according to organizers.

Should the pandemic situation ease in time, the season-ending finale of the professional women's tour is due to be held in Shenzhen again in 2023 following its 2019 inaugural edition in the southern Chinese metropolis on a 10-year deal, according to a joint announcement by the Women's Tennis Association and its Chinese partner, Gemdale Group.

The high-profile tournament will this year continue to take place at an alternative venue though, with Fort Worth, Texas, set to host the world's top eight singles stars and doubles pairs at Dickies Arena from Oct 31 to Nov 7.

"The event thereafter is due to return to Shenzhen, China, in cooperation with long-term partner Gemdale," read a WTA statement.

"Representing the Shenzhen organizing committee for the WTA Finals, I extend my sincere appreciation to all those who have been following the tournament," said Liu Fengning, co-tournament director with Gemdale Sports.

"Fans have been looking forward to the return of the Finals, the highest-level single-sport international event Shenzhen has ever organized. We respect the WTA's decision to host the tournament in another city this year, yet we will actively prepare for the resumption of the tournament in Shenzhen to hopefully pay back fans with even better experiences," he said.

Held at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center, the 2019 edition of the Finals offered a record prize pool of $14 million－twice the amount of the previous event staged in Singapore-and eventually saw now-retired Australian ace Ashleigh Barty win the singles trophy; Timea Babos of Hungary and Kristina Mladenovic of France claimed the doubles crown.

If it returns as expected, the tournament experience for players, staff and fans will be upgraded as the Chinese organizer plans to move the event into the newly refurbished, 16,000-seat Shenzhen Indoor Stadium, aiming to turn the Finals into a tennis carnival in the downtown area.

The local organizing committee will keep pushing forward with preparatory work with China's central sports governing body, the Chinese Tennis Association, the municipal government, sponsors and media partners, according to Gemdale.