5 ways the WTA Finals has made a splash in Singapore

Through the WTA Finals Singapore, we’ve welcomed tennis legends like Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova. Current pro players have also shared numerous snippets of the Lion City on social media during their time here. With our country getting so much Insta love, we’re positive that tennis fans worldwide are yearning to visit.

 “The WTA Finals has definitely helped build long-term visitor arrivals through destination awareness,” supports Jean Ng, Director, Sports, Singapore Tourism Board. “Over the past four editions, millions of viewers have come to know Singapore through the televised coverage, taking in not just the world-class sporting action but also our attractiveness as a lifestyle destination.”

The past four years have also seen countless historical moments. These include Martina Hingis’ retirement announcement last year and Serena Williams clinching the title in her 2014 Singapore debut. The 2018 tournament also marks the WTA Finals debut for players like Sloane Stephens and Naomi Osaka. But perhaps the best breakthrough moment for the event was its record-breaking attendance in 2017.

“Last year saw the largest turnout at the tournament in the four years since it was held, with 133,000 fans turning up across the 10 days,” shares Sarah Clements, Vice President, Tennis – Asia of Lagardère Sports. “In its fifth and final year, the WTA Finals Singapore is expected to surpass half a million total attendees for this entire chapter.”

Aside from on-court highlights, the competition has expanded its reach to the community as well. Event organiser Lagardère Sports launched Advantage Singapore in 2015, an umbrella programme of curated fan experiences and community engagement initiatives. Under Advantage Singapore, tennis fans are given a richer WTA Finals experience through volunteering or internship opportunities. Advantage Singapore’s final edition also features a new fundraising element. Volunteers, partners and the public can now get involved in a series of charity activities in support of SportsCares Foundation, which helps youth from needy backgrounds live better through sport.

Not only has the event motivated adults to take to the courts, it has also inspired younger players. Since 2014, the WTA Future Stars tournament has gathered top junior players from around the region to compete at the finals. Another noteworthy initiative is SC Global’s Tennis For Every Child, aimed at widening tennis participation in primary schools. To date, free tennis lessons and equipment have been provided to over 15,000 students in local and special needs schools. “Additional activities like annual carnivals, trips to watch their favourite stars live at the WTA Finals and tennis clinics serve to further motivate students in their learning journey, as they discover the fun in tennis and the lessons in sportsmanship it provides,” adds Sarah Smith, Senior Manager for Communications, SC Global.

Of course, we can’t forget how instrumental the WTA Finals has been in influencing our local tennis community. Melvin Tan, owner of Leisure Sports (the longest running dedicated tennis shop in Singapore), relates how the tournament's scale and importance has drummed up a renewed interest in the sport. Business wise, the tournament has also allowed him to be involved in fringe activities and sponsor vouchers for tennis events.  “Those who haven’t played tennis in a while are getting back into it ─ restringing and re-gripping their racquets,” he observes. ”More people are picking up the game and asking about equipment as well, and I’m happy to see this little community grow each year because of the tournament.”

Catch the greatest in women’s tennis for the last time at the final edition of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.

Find out more and buy tickets at WTAfinals.com.