Tammy, China's Zheng confirm participation in WTA Thailand Open 2020

Former world number 19 and the only Thai woman to have reached the world top 20, “Tammy” Tamarine Thanasukarn has confirmed that she will compete at the WTA International event where all profits  will be donated to the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation.

Former deputy prime minister and chairman of the Advisory Board of the Asian Tennis Federation Suwat Liptapanlop announced this at a press conference at Bangkok’s InterContinental Hotel on November 19.

World number 41 Zheng Saisai, who has also confirmed her participation, attended the press conference alongside Tammy and Paradorn Srichaphan, former world number 9 and now assistant tournament director at the WTA Thailand Open.

Representatives from APG sports marketing agency and Proudputh Liptapanlop, executive director of Proud Group, on behalf of True Arena Hua Hin, were also in attendance.

“Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Queen Sirikit Centre for Breast Cancer Foundation to help patients with terminal cancer under the Bann Pak Ping project, she said.

“New for 2020 in terms of competition is the use of electronic line calling for the replay of the falling ball that may be too fast for the human eye, as well as the 25-second-shot clock rule,” she added.

Suwat Liptapanlop

The WTA Thailand Open 2020, which offers total prize money of US$250,000 (Bt8 million), will see the qualifying round on February 8-9 and the main draw between February 10 and 16.

The first edition of the WTA Thailand Open was held from January 29 to February 3, 2019, and attracted a world-class field including former Wimbledon champion and former world number one Garbine Muguruza alongside Chinese star Wang Qiang. The title was won by rising WTA star and current world number 22 19-year-old Dayana Yastremska from Ukraine in front of a sold out crowd.

The Road to Thailand Open 2020 programme will take place in the lead up to the event to select Thai players who will be awarded wild cards into the WTA Thailand Open and provide unique opportunities for local players.