(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-09-25 09:13

"I'd say it is one of my proudest achievements," Scott said.

"We got the equality in pay at Grand Slam events, Wimbledon and Roland Garros, so 2007 is a historical year as we are breaking down barriers."

Beijing won the bid to host an elite WTA tournament in April, becoming one of four cities hosting elite events on a 20-tour top-level calendar in 2010.

The Olympic Green Tennis Center will be the home of the new WTA event.

Other mandatory women's stops will be in Madrid, Miami and Indian Wells, California.

And Scott has vowed to promote Beijing as a tennis hub.

With the arrival of WTA's top event in 2009, China Open is now a springboard for Chinese youngsters. The country's teenager duo Xu Yifan (right) and Han Xinyun entered their first final last week at the tournament before losing to Chuang Chia-jung and Hsien Su-wei of Taipei. Xinhua

"We want to make Beijing a true tennis capital in the world," he said. "When people think about tennis, they think about Beijing. The best players in the world will come here annually. Also we are calling Beijing our home."

After opening an office next year in Beijing, WTA will team up with the Chinese Tennis Association (CTA) to promote the sport at all levels.

"Tennis is only a small sport in China," Scott said.

"I will take a long-term view, and work to build, build, build.

"We will bring the best of the best to the event, and also we will assist CTA to build great facilities, provide some good coaching and bring our expertise to them around the country."

Scott's career in tennis began as a professional player on the ATP circuit, where he played for three years and won one title.

Prior to joining the WTA, he spent more than a decade in leadership and senior management positions at the ATP, serving in the post of Chief Operating Officer.

He brought in the largest sponsorship in both women's sports and professional tennis, a six-year, $88-million landmark title sponsorship agreement with Sony Ericsson.

Scott also has attracted new major regional sponsors during his tenure.

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