World number one Serena Williams has secured the first spot for the year-end TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships – Istanbul 2013, a not-so surprising development considering her fantastic performance this 2013 so far.
The TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships – Istanbul 2013 will take place at the Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul from October 22 to 27.
“I’m very excited to have qualified for the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships – Istanbul 2013 and have the opportunity to return to Istanbul in October to defend my title,” Williams said in a statement. “The support we received from the fans at last year’s Championships was overwhelming and it’s going to be a very special feeling returning to Turkey and playing in that incredible atmosphere once again.”
Prior to the announcement, Williams has posted an impressive 51-3 win-loss record this year which translates to seven WTA titles (Brisbane, Miami, Charleston, Madrid, Rome, Bastad, and Roland Garros). In February this year, she returned to world number one and solidified her hold at the top due to multiple titles she’s won.
Williams has won the WTA Championships three times (2001, 2009 and 2012) and will be returning to the event as the defending champion.
The Top 8 singles players and Top 4 doubles teams will be in Istanbul to battle for a lion’s share of the record-setting total prize money of $6 million.
