Stefanie Graf Named 2016 WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai Tournament Ambassador

ZHUHAI, China, May 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Stefanie Graf, former WTA World No.1 and 22-time Grand Slam champion, will serve as the Tournament Ambassador for the 2016 WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai.

Established in 2015, WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai features 11 of the top ranked singles players along with 1 wild card and 4 of the top ranked doubles teams, along with 2 team wild cards. Held from November 1-6 at the Hengqin International Tennis Center, the event with 700 points awarded to the winner will feature some of the top players in the world.

"I am so pleased to be the ambassador for the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai in 2016," said Graf. "I have heard great reports from the players and the press about the 2015 event and I can't wait to visit and be a part of the event this year."

Graf is regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. During her career, she won 107 WTA singles titles, including 22 Grand Slam singles titles. She was the No.1 player in the WTA for a record 377 weeks - the highest total for any player since the WTA began issuing rankings. In 1988, she became the first player to achieve the Golden Slam by winning all four Grand Slam singles titles and the Olympic gold medal. Furthermore, she is the only tennis player who has won each Grand Slam event at least four times.

Steve Simon, WTA CEO stated, "Stefanie was one of the greatest players on the WTA with so many players viewing her as their role model. Getting Stefanie's endorsement is another solid testament to Zhuhai's prestigious status."

"We are absolutely delighted that Stefanie has agreed to become the Global Ambassador for the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai for 2016," said Tournament Director Peter Johnston.

"She is such a great champion and we look forward to welcoming her to the beautiful city of Zhuhai and to our magnificent Hengqin International Tennis Center," said Mezle Chung, Vice General Manager of Zhuhai Huafa Group Co., Ltd., organizer of WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai.

Managed by renowned Huafa Group in conjunction with APG, WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai is a competition mixed with established and rising stars. The 2015 event featured 3 former WTA World No.1 players of Venus Williams, Caroline Wozniacki, and Jelena Jankovic, along with next generation players Karolina Pliskova and Madison Keys.