Possible second Belgian WTA tournament

By Etienne Stekelenburg
February 16 2004

Proximus Diamond Games Tournament Director Bob Verbeeck announced a possible second WTA tournament in Belgium. Verbeeck said a Tier III tournament could very well be scheduled in September or October this year. A request was delivered to the WTA and they will come with an answer at the end of March.

Tournament Director Verbeeck said there would be a possibility to switch between tournaments. The Tier II now held in February could move to September or October depending on the preferred schedule. Top 3 players can only play a limited amount of Tier III tournaments so its not certain that both Clijsters and Henin-Hardenne can play the second Belgian Tournament.

The Tier III is a $ 170.000 prize money tournament. The organization is not yet sure about what extra prize they could offer the winner. Like the diamond racket in Antwerp or the Porsche in Filderstadt, they are willing to come up with something to draw the players to the new tournament.

The tournament is schedule after the US Open to agree with the wishes of the players who are too tired at the end of the season. The deal with the WTA would be a long term agreement. The location of the new tournament would not be in Antwerp but elsewhere like Brussels or Hasselt where they are building a new indoor sports arena.