Get up close with the world's top tennis stars in Singapore

Singapore

THE biggest tennis tournament in Singapore is back for its third edition later this month, and more companies are snapping up VIP hospitality tickets to catch the likes of Serena Williams and new world No 1 player Angelique Kerber in action.

About 90 per cent of the total inventory of 9,350 tickets have been delivered to customers of the Racquet Club, the corporate hospitality programme of the BNP Paribas Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Finals Singapore presented by SC Global tournament.

The Racquet Club is also the name of the bespoke two-storey pavilion that has been built next to the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, where the matches will be played from Oct 23-30.

Sarah Clements, vice-president of tennis (Asia) at event promoter Lagardere Sports, said the more challenging period in the global economy has not deterred companies from getting tickets for their staff, clients and guests to enjoy the hospitality experience.

There are 11 sessions of tennis - three in the afternoon, eight in the evening - spread out over the days. Racquet Club tickets start at S$495 a head for the sessions on Oct 24 and 25. A pass to each of the semi-final matches costs S$1,250, while the grand final on Oct 30 costs S$2,000.

Fans holding these tickets enjoy many perks: a baseline seat at the Indoor Stadium, a fine dining experience in the pavilion before the matches, access to the exclusive Aces Lounge for free-flow champagne, fine teas and whiskies, the chance to meet players and legends in the flesh, and complimentary parking.

Ms Clements, who leads the management and delivery of the overall tournament, told The Business Times that there have been more larger bookings for the Racquet Club this year, compared to the first two tournaments in 2014 and 2015.

"We see more bulk bookings of 50 tickets at one go, whereas in the past it was smaller bookings of 10 or 20 tickets. With this being the third year we are doing this, I think people have a great level of trust in the event, and that they will be treated to a premium experience from start to finish," she said.

She noted a stronger take-up from clients in the business and consultancy services sectors, as well as returning customers from the financial sector. There has, however, been a softening of bulk bookings from marine and shipping companies.

Overall, the take-up rate for the Racquet Club tickets is moving at a faster pace than last year, and Ms Clements says that the usual last-minute rush just before the event starts will likely result in several sessions being at near or full capacity.

The WTA Finals, the season finale of the women's professional tennis tour, will see the top eight singles players and doubles teams compete for a share of a US$7 million prize purse.

Among those who have already booked their tickets to Singapore are 22-time grand slam champion Williams of the US, last year's winner Agnieszka Radwanska from Poland and Romanian star Simona Halep. There are still three more spots left to be filled in the coming two weeks.

The doubles line-up, meanwhile, is already complete and it features the top-ranked pair of Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic, and last year's dominant winners Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza.

Tennis fans can get to see the players up close at the singles draw ceremony on the evening of Oct 21 at the Marina Bay Sands skating rink. The draw will place the players in two groups of four for the opening round robin stage.

The WTA Finals ambassadors are also going to be in town, and this year will feature legends Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles, and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in that capacity.

Besides the Racquet Club, there are general tickets available too. The lowest priced tickets are S$32.90 for each of the first two sessions, and the most expensive is S$225.90 for the final. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit wtafinals.com.