News

13th October 2003 <download pdf doc>

Four of the world’s top players compete in the eight player Watsons Water Champions Challenge on January 8th, 9th and 10th 2004 at Victoria Park.

Watsons Water will resume Title Sponsorship of this prestigious event. For the first time in the history of professional tennis in Hong Kong, four top men and four top women will simultaneously play in the same event. Colvin Brown, President of the Tennis Patrons’ Association said, “This is brilliant news for Hong Kong. We also welcome back Watsons Water as the Title Sponsor. They have been an outstanding partner to the Tennis Patrons’ Association over the last five years, either as a Title Sponsor or as a Principal Sponsor, and we are proud to have them on board again. Two other key sponsors have helped us put this dream line-up together. Cathay Pacific, our Official Airline and Principal Sponsor, is an invaluable partner, and receives so many compliments from all our players, and Canon, our other Principal Sponsor, who has made such a big impact on our tournament.”

Steve Tong, Watsons Water’s General Manager expressed his excitement, “The Tennis Patrons’ Association has been instrumental in bringing world class tennis to Hong Kong. At Watsons Water, we share the same approach towards new and exciting ideas, as reflected in our quality products. We will launch a series of promotional activities which will generate tremendous interest in the city during the new year.”

The Watsons Water Champions Challenge, which forms part of the programme of events to relaunch Hong Kong, is also being supported by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, whose contribution has always been invaluable. Added Mr. Brown, “The Leisure and Cultural Services Department is an organisation that does so much to help sport in Hong Kong, and the Tennis Patrons’ Association is eternally grateful for their continued support.”.

The event will feature a total of four men and four ladies in three competitions – a men’s singles knockout competition, a ladies singles knockout competition and a mixed doubles knockout competition.

Heading up the men’s field is the World No. 1 player, and current French Open Champion, Juan Carlos Ferrero, the handsome Spaniard from Villena. He is joined by Wimbledon Champion and World No. 3, the enormously popular, Roger Federer. Spanish star Ferrero swept all before him to capture the tough French Open crown, and he came within one match of claiming the US Open title. Ferrero stands out as the undisputed No. 1 however, and is poised to finish the year as the best player in the world.

Of equal status in the superstar stakes is Roger Federer, the smouldering, good-looking Swiss champion, whose emotional defences were shattered when he celebrated lifting the Wimbledon crown. Media photos around the world showed tears streaming down his face as he made his acceptance speech. Considered by many the most talented, and most complete tennis player since Pete Sampras, fans will not forget his consummate passing shots which stunned finalist Mark Philippoussis, as he beat Mark easily to take his first Wimbledon title. An “artist” is how the tennis experts describe him, and the legend of Roger Federer is about to begin!

On the women’s side, the star studded field is headed up by four time Grand Slam Champion Venus Williams. Arguably the most famous female athlete in the world, Venus is mounting a vigorous campaign to regain the No. 1 spot she held with great conviction in 2002. Popular, and graceful on the court, her fans are looking forward to the Venus trademark wave, as she pirouettes around the stadium to acknowledge her support from the crowd. Already in her short career she has won 4 Grand Slam singles titles, including back to back US Open and Wimbledon Championships, as well as 8 Grand Slam Doubles Titles. Aficionados are tipping Venus to dominate the game in the year 2004 as she recovers from the stomach injury that plagued her for much of this year.

Joining Venus in the field is stunning Russian Maria Sharapova. Blessed with long legs and good looks, the young Russian has enjoyed a meteoric rise. Spotted last year by the Tennis Patrons’ Association as a player to watch, she competed in the Hong Kong Ladies Challenge in early 2003. She then went on to secure dozens of column inches at the Wimbledon Championships, where she reached the 4th round, and where she captivated the attention of the world’s photographers. Still only 16 years and five months, Maria has just won her first WTA tour event at the Japan Open, beating Hungarian player Aniko Kapros in the final. Her future is already in the present.

The remaining two men and two women will be announced in due course, but each will offer stiff competition to the above named stars. Organisers are excited at the prospect of fans seeing so many big names on each day of the tournament. Colvin Brown, President of the Tennis Patrons’ Association commented, “This is a rousing endorsement for Hong Kong, and for local tennis fans to have the rare opportunity to see the crème de la crème of world tennis in action. Hong Kong has a strong international reputation for staging world class tennis events, and once again our city has lined up some of the biggest names in tennis.”

The Watsons Water Champions Challenge will be played on Thursday January 8th, Friday January 9th and Saturday January 10th next year at Victoria Park. Demand for tickets is expected to be high, but the exact date for the commencement of ticket sales will be announced in due course. For further information, the public should telephone our Tournament Information Hotline on 2311 4000.

For more information please call Terry Catton, Co-Tournament Director on 2723 8721.