NEW YORK, NY, USA – Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova and the doubles team of Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik have become the first players to qualify for the TEB-BNP Paribas WTA Championships, which will be hosted at the state of the art Sinan Erdem Arena in Istanbul, Turkey. The WTA’s year-end finale will feature the Top 8 singles players and Top 4 doubles teams competing for the coveted title and a share of $5 million in prize money.
“I congratulate Caroline, Maria, Kveta and Katarina on becoming the first players to reach the TEB-BNP Paribas WTA Championships,” said Stacey Allaster, Chairman & CEO of the WTA. “Caroline has been incredibly consistent in her performances over the last year and is close to holding the No.1 ranking for 12 months. Having Maria back for the first time since 2007 is a true testament to all the hard work she’s put in since returning from shoulder surgery. Kveta and Katarina are having a great season, highlighted by an inspired Wimbledon victory and the ascent to the top of the doubles rankings. It will be great for fans around the world to see these players competing in Istanbul.”
“We’re delighted that these incredible players have qualified for the TEB-BNP Paribas WTA Championships and look forward to welcoming them to Turkey in October,” said Ayda Uluc, President of the Turkish Tennis Federation.
Wozniacki will be making her third consecutive appearance. “I’m so excited to qualify for Istanbul. It has always a big goal for the top players to end the year there. It’s a wonderful city and it will be great to play in front of a new set of fans. Hopefully we can put on a good show and provide an exciting end to the year.”
Sharapova will be playing the event for the first time since 2007. “I am so happy to have booked my spot in Istanbul. I haven’t been to the event since 2007 and I’ve really missed competing in one of the most exciting and important events of the year. I’m looking forward to making the most of playing in Istanbul.”
Peschke and Srebotnik will be making their second straight appearance. “Kveta and I are so happy to have made it to the year-end Championships for the second year in a row as a team,” Srebotnik said. “It’s a really special event and something we aim for every season. We’ve had a great year so far and now we’re looking forward to finishing 2011 off in Istanbul and trying to win the title.”
