KUALA LUMPUR: The fourth edition of the Malaysian Open women's tennis tournament next year will be held in Langkawi.
Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) honorary-secretary Ibrahim Abu Bakar said Langkawi was chosen because the island was a well known tourist attraction and having the tournament there would attract more tennis fans.
"It is about time for us to change the tradition of holding the tournamnet in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi is a good alternative," he told reporters after attending a luncheon with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is also the patron of the tournament, here today.
This year's edition will see 32 of the world's leading players competing for the singles title and 16 teams for the doubles title in a knockout competition format which will be held from Feb 27 to March 4 at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort here.
Former world number one Venus Williams of the United States is among the top players to have confirmed participation this year.
Current world number nine Marion Bartoli of France and China's rising star Peng Shuai are among the others who will be in the fray. This year's edition is offering total prize money of USD220,000 (RM690,172). - Bernama
