WUHAN, August 29, 2019 (Press Release)
World No.1 Naomi Osaka has been awarded a wildcard into this year’s Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open by the organisers of the USD$2.8 million WTA Premier 5 tournament, which begins on September 22nd.
Reigning US Open and Australian Open champion Osaka is already one of the most successful Asian players of all time, drawing comparisons with Chinese tennis legend Li Na, who was born in Wuhan and is an official ambassador for the tournament. Osaka is also widely regarded as one of the most marketable current female sports stars in the world.
Osaka is currently competing at the final Grand Slam of the season, defending the US Open singles title she won last year in a dramatic final in New York. The 21-year-old from Japan enjoyed a successful start to her campaign with a gritty 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2 win over Russia’s Anna Blinkova in the opening round on Tuesday and is due to play Magda Linette in the second round on Thursday.
Osaka will join an already impressive field in Wuhan, which traditionally attracts the biggest stars of WTA Tour as part of the ‘Asian Swing’ of world class events which lead to the climax of the tennis season. Wimbledon champion Simona Halep and Roland Garros champion Ashleigh Barty are both entered, which means that the current holders of all four Grand Slam titles are scheduled to compete in the central Chinese city.
Guess who’s coming to the Wuhan Open?!!! We’re thrilled to say that @Naomi_Osaka_ has taken a wildcard to join the class of 2019 😊😊😊 pic.twitter.com/VSb7fPaMFj
— Wuhan Open (@wuhanopentennis) August 29, 2019
Eighteen of the World’s Top 20 and nine of the World’s Top 10 will compete in field which contains ten current or former Grand Slam singles champions, who have won sixteen major titles between them. Osaka is the eighth player in the draw to be ranked World No.1.
Other big names due to play include: Former US Open runner-up, former World No.1 and current World No.3 Karolina Pliskova; World No.5 and current WTA Finals titleholder Elina Svitolina; World No.6, two-time Wimbledon champ, 2019 Australian Open runner-up and double Wuhan Open winner Petra Kvitova; World No.7 Kiki Bertens; World No.9 and former US Open finalist Madison Keys; 2017 US Open champion and World No.10 Sloane Stephens; defending Wuhan Open champion and World No.13 Aryna Sabalenka; 2018 Australian Open champion and former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki; former World No.1 and 2016 Australian Open, 2016 US Open and 2018 Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber as well as former Wimbledon and Roland Garros winner Garbiñe Muguruza. Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka is also entered. .
Naomi Osaka said:
“I’m very happy to be returning to Wuhan Open and grateful for the opportunity because it always attracts the best players and it’s an important week for women’s tennis. I know Wuhan is Li Na’s home town and she’s one of the most inspirational players to come from Asia so it’s a special tournament to be part of.”
Brenda Perry, Wuhan Open co-Tournament Director said:
“In the last year Naomi has become an icon of women’s tennis, Asian tennis and of sport worldwide. We are thrilled to welcome Naomi back to Wuhan this year to add to the already incredible line-up of players. It is fantastic that Wuhan Open can host some of the world’s best and most well-known athletes who bring with them a long list of remarkable achievements. Naomi epitomises that.”
(Mrs) Quiping Li, Wuhan Open co-Tournament Director said:
“Having the World No.1 scheduled to play our tournament is always special and we know how popular Naomi is with fans all over the world, but especially across Asia. We know that there will be a big buzz around the crowd whenever she plays and we’re sure that Wuhan is going to give her a very warm welcome back.”
