Shenzhen beats Manchester to WTA Finals

Manchester has missed out on hosting the WTA Finals, with Shenzhen given a 10-year deal.

After the success of the ATP Finals at London’s O2 Arena, the Lawn Tennis Association hoped Britain would be given the chance to stage the women’s equivalent, which finishes its current run in Singapore this year.

But the WTA has opted to keep the tournament in Asia, with Shenzhen committing to doubling the current prize money to 14 million US dollars (approximately £10million) per year and building a new 12,000-seat stadium.

WTA chief Steve Simon said: “It gives me great pleasure to announce that the dynamic city of Shenzhen has been chosen to host the WTA Finals, the WTA’s crown jewel season finale, for the next decade.

“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.”

As well as Manchester, Shenzhen fought off competition from Prague, St Petersburg and current host Singapore.

China is the biggest growth market for tennis and the women’s game in particular. The country already hosts seven WTA events, including one in Shenzhen in the build-up to the Australian Open.