Going out on a high note

SINCE 2014, the world's top female tennis players have come to Singapore each year to compete in the season finale - the BNP Paribas Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Finals presented by SC Global tournament.

This October, the competition will take place for the fifth and final time in the Lion City, with the Chinese city of Shenzhen set to be the new host for the next decade starting in 2019. It's still early days, but among the front-runners to qualify for the US$7 million event are the defending champion Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, current world No 1 Simona Halep from Romania, and German star Angelique Kerber.

Sarah Clements, the vice-president of tennis (Asia) at event promoter and sports marketing agency Lagardère Sports, was in a pensive mood as the clock winds down on the WTA Finals' five-year run at the Singapore Sports Hub, but she said the organisers are determined to ensure the tournament goes out on a high note. The Australian, who has been involved with the WTA Finals here since day one, spoke to BT Weekend recently. Here are excerpts of the interview: