A popular event some years back has returned to the WTA circle. The DIAMOND GAMES in Antwerp, Belgium from February 9 - 15. Kim Clijsters has a big influence on this tournament. Tournament Info
Tier: Premier 700, Prize Money: $731,000, Surface: Hard, Director: Kim Clijsters
"Let's start with top-seeded Eugenie Bouchard. She will undoubtedly become one of the absolute stars of this generation. She has already reached seventh place on the WTA rankings and played last year's final at Wimbledon. She's incredibly talented and pairs that talent with plenty of discipline: an ideal combination", Clijsters reckons.
In the tradition of old-time deployment of the tournament remains a gold, diamond-coated racket: 4.5 kg of gold and 2008 diamonds. Together worth $ 1.5 million. Who will win twice in three years will win the racket. "Believe me, that is a serious additional attraction for women's tennis," Kim adds. "We aim primarily to a very strong competition and we are targeting a number of big names and several players from the top 20. Then, such a trophy certainly helps!" - here is the racket:
The four top-seeded players get a bye in the first round and join the action from round two. Along with Canadian Bouchard that list also includes Germans Angelique Kerber (2) and Andrea Petkovic (3) as well as Czech Republic's Lucie Safarova (4).
"I know Angelique very well", says Clijsters. "She beat me at my last appearance at Wimbledon. But I forgive her, she's a very cool girl", Clijsters laughs. "And Petkovic is a great personality." A few years back she introduced the 'Petko Dance': a victory dance after every win. Let's find out if the Antwerp crowd will get to see her dancing skills as well ...
Players taking part this year: * Wildcards
7 Eugenie BOUCHARD CAN
9 Angelique KERBER GER
10 Dominika CIBULKOVA SVK
13 Andrea PETKOVIC GER
16 Lucie SAFAROVA CZE
17 Carla SUAREZ NAVARRO ESP
19 Alizé CORNET FRA
23 Karolina PLISKOVA CZE
25 Barbora ZAHLAVOVA STRYCOVA CZE
32 Belinda BENCIC SUI
34 Camila GIORGI ITA
38 Tsvetana PIRONKOVA BUL
40 Klara KOUKALOVA CZE
42 Mona BARTHEL GER
45 Kirsten FLIPKENS BEL
46 Monica NICULESCU ROU
50 Magdalena RYBARIKOVA SVK
53 Annika BECK GER
54 Karin KNAPP ITA
60 Mirjana LUCIC-BARONI CRO
67 S. Soler-Espinosa* ESP
74 K. Mladenovic* FRA
75 Yanina WICKMAYER* BEL
102 Alison Van Uytvanck* BEL
