「保誠香港網球公開賽2023」星光陣容公佈 六位世界級女網球手確認參賽
Six world-class players confirmed for
Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open 2023
（2023年9月13日，香港）中國香港網球總會（「網總」）是日宣佈六大女網球手落實參戰「保誠香港網球公開賽2023」，當中包括兩屆「澳洲網球公開賽」單打冠軍兼前世界排名第一位的艾莎蓮嘉（Victoria Azarenka）、「法國網球公開賽2023」四強球手兼現時世界排名第19位的夏達馬雅（Beatriz Haddad Maia）、「美國網球公開賽2021」女單亞軍費蘭迪絲（Leylah Fernandez）、現時世界排名第27位的寶達普娃（Anastasia Potapova）、中國新秀王曦雨及世界排名上升神速的16歲超新星安祖莉娃（Mirra Andreeva）。是項WTA250級別國際巡迴賽將於10月載譽回歸香江，並在10月7日至15日假維多利亞公園網球主場綻放女子網球的強大力量。
中國香港網球總會會長莫君逸先生宣佈球手陣容時表示：「我們很高興能夠與世界各地的頂尖球手一同迎接WTA賽事載譽回歸香港。曾奪得兩屆大滿貫單打冠軍的前世界一姐艾莎蓮嘉是今屆賽事的焦點球手；球技精湛的夏達馬雅及費蘭迪絲均是久經大滿貫賽場的猛將；寶達普娃是世界排名前三十位的強勁球手；而王曦雨和安祖莉娃則是令人期待的網壇超新星。多位世界級球手來港作賽，力證了香港作為全球首屈一指的旅遊及商業樞紐地位；我們期待與本地及海外的球迷共同投入這場十月盛事。」
莫會長亦表示：「在『保誠香港網球公開賽』載譽歸來之際，我們特別感謝香港特別行政區政府及冠名贊助商保誠保險有限公司（『保誠保險』）對賽事的的鼎力支持。正是他們的強大助力，才可以令國際體壇盛事得以順利舉行，向全球展示香港的實力。我們亦要宣佈『保誠香港網球公開賽2023』正式成為『M』品牌活動，強化香港作為亞洲體育盛事之都的形象；能獲得大型體育活動事務委員會的『M』品牌認可，代表賽事緊張精彩，是本地體育活動日程內的重點活動。」
保誠保險香港行政總裁林智剛先生表示：「闊別五年，萬眾期待的『保誠香港網球公開賽』於今年重臨熟悉的維園網球主場，讓我們感受香港這個活力四射的繁華都市。保誠非常榮幸能夠自2014年起支持舉辦這項享負盛名的WTA國際級賽事，並將此國際網壇盛事再次帶回香江，我們亦很高興成為冠名贊助商，見證一眾頂尖女子球手展開為期九日的激烈競逐。適逢我們慶祝保誠集團成立175週年，我們希望藉著這項盛事與全港市民一同慶賀香港的非凡活力。作為香港人一直信賴的健康保障夥伴，保誠致力『保障每個人生，誠就每個未來』。是次保誠和中國香港網球總會合作，旨在讓更多香港市民燃起對網球運動的熱愛，身體力行打造健康積極的生活方式。」
34歲的媽媽艾莎蓮嘉近15年來首度來港參賽；此前，她曾兩次奪得「澳洲網球公開賽」單打冠軍，三次闖入「美國網球公開賽」決賽，並連續51週蟬聯世界排名第一位。艾莎蓮嘉作為戰績輝煌的現役球手，曾摘得21個WTA單打冠軍、10個雙打冠軍和混雙冠軍、兩個大滿貫冠軍及一枚2012年倫敦奧運會金牌。今年1月，她再次殺入「澳洲網球公開賽」四強，這是她職業生涯中第9次打進大滿貫賽事準決賽。
今年初，巴西球手夏達馬雅創造了網壇歷史，她在「法國網球公開賽」中打入準決賽，一舉躋身世界排名前十，是自1975年以來首位晉身世界排名前十的巴西球手。2022年，這位身高6英尺、現時世界排名第19位的左用手球手在「諾丁漢公開賽」和「伯明翰精英賽」兩個草地賽事連續奪得WTA單打錦標，並在多倫多擊敗了當時世界排名第一位的絲維雅迪克（Iga Swiatek），獲得WTA1000級別賽事獎牌。
2021年，剛剛過完19歲生日的加拿大球手費蘭迪絲，超乎意料地擊敗衛冕冠軍大坂直美（Naomi Osaka）、姬芭（Angelique Kerber）、5號種子球手絲維度蓮娜（Elina Svitolina）及2號種子球手莎芭列卡（Aryna Sabalenka），一舉打入「美國網球公開賽」單打決賽，最終遺憾不敵拉杜卡奴（Emma Raducanu）。2022年，她在「蒙特雷公開賽」贏下個人第二個WTA單打錦標，並於「法國網球公開賽」闖進半準決賽，單打世界排名一度上升至職業生涯新高的第13位。今年賽季，她更與唐辛（Taylor Townsend）攜手殺入「法國網球公開賽」雙打決賽。費蘭迪絲即將首度亮相維園，相信她將盡情展示其不屈不撓的競技精神及球星魅力。
現年22歲、世界排名第27位的寶達普娃於青少年時期就取得過人成就。她在2016年奪得「溫布頓網球錦標賽」青少年女單冠軍，青少年世界排名躍升至第一位。2022年，她在伊斯坦堡賽事贏得首個WTA單打冠軍，及後於「林茨公開賽」再奪錦標。今年，她還打進「邁阿密公開賽」半準決賽及「保時捷網球大獎賽」準決賽，並擊敗當時世界排名前十位的球手嘉奧芙（Coco Gauff）和加西雅（Caroline Garcia），讓她的世界排名在6月上升至職業生涯最高的第21位。
同樣22歲的中國網壇新秀王曦雨今年初曾升至職業生涯最高排名第49位，此前她在2022年於兩項WTA250級別賽事「華盛頓公開賽」和「特蘭西瓦尼亞公開賽」中，分別闖入單打準決賽；更擊敗當時世界排名第三位的莎卡妮（Maria Sakkari），成功打進「美國網球公開賽」正賽第三輪。作為前青少年世界排名第一位的球手及美國網球公開賽青少年組單打冠軍，王曦雨在職業生涯中戰勝過艾莎蓮嘉、琪莉芝高娃（Barbora Krejčíková）和芭杜莎（Paula Badosa）。
今年四月，年僅16歲的安祖莉娃在「馬德里公開賽」中擊敗2021年「美國網球公開賽」女單亞軍費蘭迪絲，以及當時世界排名前二十的夏達馬雅和蓮妮茲（Magda Linette），備受世界網壇關注。她更以資格賽選手身份殺入「法國網球公開賽」第三輪，及爆冷淘汰10號種子琪莉芝高娃，成為繼嘉奧芙（Coco Gauff）之後打進「溫布頓網球錦標賽」正賽第四輪的最年輕選手。安祖莉娃將首度亮相香港，相信這位年輕球手將吸引無數球迷入場一睹其天才球技。
賽會亦宣佈，本地第一及第二球手張瑋桓和王康怡已確認參賽。她們在前數個賽季均取得不俗成績；2021年賽季，她們總共贏下22個國際網球聯會（ITF）女子網球賽的雙打錦標，其中有11個更是聯手取得。單打方面，她們均接近職業生涯的最高排名，張瑋桓穩居世界排名前250位，而王康怡則逼近世界排名前300位。王康怡近日出戰於成都舉行的第31屆「世界大學生夏季運動會」，更夥拍本地新星黃澤林贏得網球混合雙打銅牌。
中國香港網球總會行政總裁黎百年先生表示：「張瑋桓和王康怡於過去數年的職業巡迴賽中均有長足進步，我們很高興將見證她們把握是次難能可貴的機會，在本地球迷的支持下參與WTA賽事。相信她們定能在比賽中獲取寶貴經驗，助力網球生涯再有突破，並以行動鼓勵本地年輕球手堅定追夢。」
香港人氣樂隊DEAR JANE亦出席是日新聞發佈會，並介紹今屆賽事之「網球同樂區」的更多活動詳情。今屆「網球同樂區」同樣座落於維多利亞公園網球場，以「綻放網球力量」為主題提供各項攤位活動，並配搭繽紛色彩的區域設計，歡迎球迷及市民免費入場體驗。攤位活動包括：設有專業網球教練在場示範及指導的合家歡迷你網球場；發球速度挑戰攤位；及適合任何年齡人士體驗的網球遊戲攤位。保誠保險亦將於「保誠專區」設置極富趣味的網球互動攤位及影相打卡位。此外，球迷亦有機會於簽名攤位與心水球星見面，親自為她們加油鼓勁。「網球同樂區」還設置大型螢幕直播賽事，市民及遊客可一邊享受美味小食，一邊觀看世界級女子網球對陣。
為慶祝第六屆「保誠香港網球公開賽」再度舉行，今屆賽事還與波蘭藝術家Mateusz Kolek及本地插畫機構Ztoryteller合作，推出結合藝術文化及網球運動的期間限定紀念品；由兩位藝術家親自設計的紀念品，將於賽事期間在「網球同樂區」公開發售。
球迷及市民可於10月9日（「全民參與星期一 」）免費入場觀看單/雙打正賽（座位先到先得）；公眾亦可於10月7日至8日免費入場觀看單打資格賽；或於正賽期間（10月9日至15日）免費觀賞維多利亞公園網球1號及2號場的所有賽事。青少年球迷更可於10月10日（「學生星期二」）憑全日制學生身份，免費入場見證國際球星的風采。
香港網球公開賽督導委員會主席周維正先生表示：「為歡慶『保誠香港網球公開賽』闊別五年後強勢歸來，祝賀保誠集團成立175週年和WTA巡迴賽開辦50週年，我們將為球迷和市民呈獻為期一星期的緊湊賽事及精彩活動。『保誠香港網球公開賽』致力激發本地社區對體育及運動的熱情，透過社區活動凝聚不同階層的群眾以回饋社會。我們期待能與全城共慶這項本地年度國際體壇盛事。」
賽會亦於是日宣佈，Now TV正式成為「保誠香港網球公開賽2023」大會指定廣播機構。屆時所有主球場賽事將於Now Sports 634頻道直播，部分賽事則於免費頻道ViuTVsix和ViuTV 99頻道播出，1號球場的其他比賽亦會於Now Sports 631頻道播出，在賽事期間為球迷提供不同觀賽渠道及多項精彩活動。
公眾可於快達票官網（www.hkticketing.com）購買10月10日至15日的賽事門票，售價由港幣160元至970元不等。如欲獲悉更多賽事相關精彩內容，請瀏覽官方網站：www.hktennisopen.hk 。
圖片描述：
圖1：大型體育活動事務委員會副主席、立法會議員鄭泳舜太平紳士, MH 於「保誠香港網球公開賽2023」新聞發佈會致辭，鼓勵市民不論何時何地都可投入有益身心的網球運動。
圖2：保誠保險香港行政總裁林智剛先生於「保誠香港網球公開賽2023」新聞發佈會致辭，希望香港市民能透過是次比賽燃起對網球運動的熱愛，身體力行打造健康積極的生活方式。
圖3：中國香港網球總會會長莫君逸先生對於「保誠香港網球公開賽」闊別五年載譽歸來表示激動。
圖4：大型體育活動事務委員會副主席、立法會議員鄭泳舜太平紳士,MH（左四）、保誠保險香港行政總裁林智剛先生（左三）、中國香港網球總會會長莫君逸先生（左五）、保誠香港網球公開賽督導委員會主席周維正先生（左二）、中國香港網球總會副會長林少偉先生林少偉先生（左一）及中國香港網球總會理事會義務秘書鄭明哲先生（左六）共同揭曉「保誠香港網球公開賽2023」星光陣容。
圖5：本地人氣樂隊Dear Jane出席「保誠香港網球公開賽2023」新聞發佈會，並介紹今屆賽事之「網球同樂區」的更多活動詳情。
圖6：香港網球公開賽督導委員會成員、一眾賽事贊助商及合作夥伴與Dear Jane共同慶祝「保誠香港網球公開賽」載譽回歸，期待見到各頂尖女網球手於維多利亞公園網球主場綻放網球力量。
(13 September 2023, HONG KONG) Hong Kong, China Tennis Association (“HKCTA”) today announced that two-time Australian Open singles champion and former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka, 2023 Roland Garros singles semi-finalist Beatriz Haddad Maia, 2021 US Open singles finalist Leylah Fernandez, world No.27 Anastasia Potapova, China’s rising star Wang Xiyu and fast-rising 16-year-old phenom Mirra Andreeva will headline the return of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open (“PHKTO”) in October. The WTA 250 tournament will take place between 7 and 15 October at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium.
Commenting on the player line up, HKCTA President Philip Mok said, “We are excited to celebrate the return of WTA tennis to Hong Kong with a diverse line-up of players from around the globe. As a two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No.1, Victoria is one of the most accomplished players on tour, while Beatriz and Leylah have shown their pedigree at the Grand Slams, Anastasia is a top-30 player, and Wang and Mirra are two very promising young stars. The international field reflects Hong Kong’s status as a premier global travel and business hub and is sure to thrill and captivate tennis fans in October.”
“As we relaunch the tournament in style, our sincere gratitude goes to our title sponsor, Prudential Hong Kong Limited (“Prudential”) and the Hong Kong Government for their unwavering support. Their steadfast commitment has enabled us to continue developing an exceptional world class event that showcases Hong Kong on the global stage. We are delighted that the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open 2023 has been recognised as an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports event capital. The “M” Mark awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolises intense, spectacular and signature events in the territory sports calendar," Mok added.
Mr. Lawrence Lam, Chief Executive Officer of Prudential, said “This year’s Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open (PHKTO) marks a resumption of the event after a five-year hiatus. It returns to the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium, an intimate setting with Hong Kong as a unique backdrop, where we can feel a sense of anticipation and the spirit of this vibrant city. Prudential is hugely honoured to have supported this prestigious WTA event since 2014, and to now be bringing world-class tennis to Hong Kong once more. It is also a privilege to be the title sponsor and to welcome some of the world’s leading female tennis stars for nine days of intense competition.”
“We are in a celebratory mood as this year marks the 175 years since it was founded, but more importantly we are celebrating Hong Kong and all the energy it offers through this mega-event. As a trusted health protection partner for every life and every future, our partnership with the Hong Kong China Tennis Association (HKCTA) aims to inspire more people in Hong Kong to pick up a racquet and embrace a healthy, active lifestyle.”
34-year-old mother-of-one Azarenka is making her first trip to Hong Kong in almost 15 years, a timespan in which she captured two Australian Open singles titles, reached the US Open final three times and rose to the world No.1 spot for 51 weeks. One of the most decorated active players on tour, Azarenka owns 21 WTA singles titles, 10 doubles titles and in mixed doubles, two Grand Slam titles & an Olympic gold medal at London 2012. In January this year she reached the Australian Open semi-finals, the 9th Grand Slam semi-final in her storied career.
Brazilian Haddad Maia made tennis history earlier this year when she reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros, catapulting her to a place in the world’s top 10, the first player from her country to do so since computer rankings were introduced in 1975. In 2022, the 6’0’ southpaw and current World No.20 captured her first two WTA singles titles at back-to-back grass court events in Nottingham and Birmingham and took out world No.1 Iga Swiatek to reach her maiden WTA 1000 final in Toronto.
Canadian Leylah Fernandez made headlines worldwide in 2021 when she shocked defending champion Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, No.5 seed Elina Svitolina and No.2 seed Aryna Sabalenka to make the US Open singles final (l. to Emma Raducanu) just after her 19th birthday. In 2022, she won her second WTA singles title at Monterrey, reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and recorded a career high singles ranking of world No.13, while this year she reached the Roland Garros doubles final with Taylor Townsend. Her trademark fighting spirit and star power will be on full display as she makes her debut at Victoria Park.
22-year-old world No. 27 Anastasia Potapova had great success as a junior player, capturing the girls’ title at Wimbledon in 2016 and ascending to the junior No.1 ranking. In the senior ranks she won her first WTA singles title in Istanbul in 2022, with her second following in February this year at Linz. This year she also reached the quarterfinals at the Miami 1000 and the semi-finals at the Stuttgart 500, defeating top-10 players Coco Gauff and Caroline Garcia, which helped propel her to a career high of world No.21 in June.
Fellow 22-year-old Wang Xiyu from China reached a career high of No.49 earlier this year after a 2022 that saw her reach two WTA 250 singles semi-finals in Washington and Transylvania and defeat World No.3 Maria Sakkari to reach the third round at the US Open. A former junior world No.1 player and Junior US Open singles champion, Wang has recorded wins over Victoria Azarenka, Barbora Krejčíková and Paula Badosa in her career and the left-hander will be gunning for her maiden WTA singles title in Hong Kong.
16-year-old Mirra Andreeva made the tennis world take notice in April with statement wins over 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez and top-20 players Beatriz Haddad Maia & Magda Linette at the Madrid 1000 event. Even more impressively, she then made the third round of the French Open as a qualifier before becoming the youngest player since Coco Gauff to reach the Wimbledon fourth round, eliminating No.10 seed Barbora Krejčíková enroute. Few teenage prospects in sport right now have generated as much interest as Andreeva as she makes her debut in Hong Kong.
The tournament also announced that Hong Kong’s top two players, Eudice Chong and Cody Wong will take part in the tournament. Both players have delivered impressive results in the past few seasons, capturing a staggering 22 ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour doubles titles combined since 2021, 11 of them as a team. They have also excelled in singles with both near their career high rankings and Eudice comfortably within the World’s top 250 and Cody just outside of the top 300. Cody recently brought home a bronze medal at the World University Games in Chengdu, partnering with Coleman Wong in the mixed doubles event.
Tournament Director and HKCTA CEO Chris Lai commented, “Eudice and Cody have been making great strides on the professional tours over the past few years and we are delighted they will have the opportunity to compete at the WTA level in front of their home fans. They will be sure to gain great experience to further their careers while providing inspiration to the next generation of local players.”
The popular local band ‘Dear Jane’ were on hand at the press conference to reveal details of this year’s Tournament Village and activities this year, which reflect its tagline of “Celebrating Greatness.” Located adjacent to Victoria Park Tennis Stadium, the free-entry village will boast a colourful design, offering a host of tennis themed activities including a mini-tennis court with coaching clinics and demonstrations, a serve speed booth and tennis game booths suitable for all ages. Prudential’s booth at the Tournament Village will feature alluring tennis games and photo opportunities and fans can meet their favourite players at the autograph booth. Visitors can also enjoy refreshments whilst enjoying a live broadcast of the matches on the giant video screen.
As part of the celebration of its 6th edition, this year the tournament is also collaborating with two artists to create unique PHKTO merchandise items that integrate culture and sport. The limited-edition items will be designed by renowned Polish artist Mateusz Kolek and a local artist from Ztoryteller and will be available for purchase in the Tournament Village.
Once again fans will be able to watch the matches on Monday 9th October (“People’s Monday) with free entry. All qualifying matches on 7 and 8 October and main draw matches on Court 1 and Court 2 during the week will also be open to the public free of charge. There is also free-admission to matches for full-time students on Tuesday 10 October as part of “Student’s Tuesday.”
PHKTO Steering Committee Chairman Oscar Chow said, “To mark the return of PHKTO after five years as well as celebrate Prudential’s landmark 175th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the WTA, we are delighted to bring both tennis fans and the general public a week packed with entertainment. PHKTO is committed to bringing the tournament to the community and engaging people of all different ages and backgrounds with something for everyone, making tennis more accessible to all and developing sporting culture and grassroots participation in the city. We look forward to families and people of all ages coming down and enjoying the activities on offer.”
Now TV was also announced as the Official Host Broadcaster of PHKTO 2023. All Centre Court matches will be broadcast live on Now Sports Channel 634 with selected matches broadcast on the free-to-air channels ViuTVsix and ViuTV Channel 99 during the week. Additional matches on Court 1 will be broadcast on Now Sports Channel 631, offering sports fans a wide array of matches and channels to watch across the tournament week.
Tickets for 10-15 October can be purchased online at Hong Kong Ticketing (www.hkticketing.com) with prices ranging from HK$160 to HK$970. More information can be found at the Tournament’s official website www.hktennisopen.hk.
Photo Captions:
1. The Hon. Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, MH, JP, Vice Chairman of The Major Sports Event Committee addressed the gathered guests and media at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open 2023 Press Conference
2. Mr. Lawrence Lam, Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Hong Kong Limited delivered a speech at the PHKTO 2023 Press Conference
3. Mr. Philip Mok, HKCTA President welcomed the return of PHKTO after a five-year hiatus
4. (From left to right) Mr. Lam Siu Wai, member of the PHKTO 2023 Steering Committee, Mr. Oscar Chow, Chairman of the PHKTO 2023 Steering Committee, Mr. Lawrence Lam, Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Hong Kong Limited, The Hon. Vincent Cheng Wing-shun, MH, JP, Vice Chairman of The Major Sports Event Committee, Mr. Philip Mok, HKCTA President, and Mr. Michael Cheng, HKCTA Hon. Secretary unveiled the six marquee players for this year’s tournament
5. Popular local band ‘Dear Jane’ revealed details of PHKTO 2023’s tournament activities
6. Tournament sponsors and partners joined a group photo with ‘Dear Jane’ and members of the Tournament Steering Committee to celebrate the return of PHKTO
Information and Photo source : The Fox Creation / BOC Hong Kong Tennis Open
