Reem’s Singapore diary: Unforgettable start to WTA Finals proceedings

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Star-studded show: Li Na in Singapore.

    Singapore promised glitz and glamour and it certainly hasn’t disappointed so far.

    The pre-tournament interviews have been taking place at the beautiful ArtScience Museum at the Marina Bay Sands resort with the city’s beautiful canals in the backdrop.

    The opening ceremony of the WTA Finals at the Singapore Indoor Stadium yesterday resembled a pop concert with some brilliant percussionists kicking off proceedings before a children’s choir sang the national anthem.

    Pop group, Us the Duo, who went from making Vine videos on the internet to touring with Oprah, sang a couple of songs before the recently-retired Chinese star Li Na was brought on the court to hit a ceremonial serve to one of the winners in the “Future Stars” tournament earlier in the day.

    “You want me to serve in heels?” asked Li Na on court. But she didn’t just serve, she went on to rally, in heels, with the young girl.

    It was almost a full house for opening day which is a great sign of what’s to come, especially with the Finals staying here in Singapore for another four years.

    The WTA started four decades ago with the slogan “We’ve come a long way, baby!” and that remains to be very true. As the song, “I’m on top of the world” blasted throughout the stadium with images of all the various cities that play host to WTA events across the globe, projected on the court surface, you couldn’t help but marvel at how far women’s sport has come.

    BFFs

    The friendship between Caroline Wozniacki and Serena Williams has been over-analysed and over-reported but it continues to fascinate the masses, especially with players often insisting that the tour is not a place to make friendships.

    Asked if being able to have a real friend on tour was a development that came along as she grew up or if she had been open to it as a young player, Williams said: “It's definitely something that's come about when I'm older. Some people you just have a connection to. It's not about whether you're friends with them or not. It's just about you have this attraction without even trying.

    “I think with Caroline, even when she was younger, we've always had this little connection. The older we both got it got stronger and stronger. We're the best of friends. She helps me, I help her.

    “Life is far too short and there are so many things that are so much more important in life than, you know, hitting a tennis ball. Things do last longer than tennis. I think if you do have a good friendship, even if it's one, it's worth it.”

    It certainly is. And you know who was courtside for Williams’ opening match yesterday? None other than Wozniacki, of course.

    Recommended