Katowice to host new WTA tennis tournament

Spodek: photo - wikipedia

“The negotiations lasted a long time, you can count the months,” revealed Ewelina Kajzerek, from Katowice town hall, in a statement released to the Polish Press Agency (PAP).

According to the statement, Katowice was recommended by Peter Wozniacki, Polish-born father of Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.

The tournament, which would take place from 6-14 April 2013, would replace the WTA Tour event that has recently been played in Copenhagen.

The event will be hosted in the iconic 1970s Spodek hall (The Saucer), which is noted for its resemblance to a UFO.

“We try to host various interesting events in Spodek. So when we hear about the possibility of organising something interesting, we try to bring it here,” Kajzerek noted.

Funds for the tournament are set to be voted through next month as part of the city's budget plan for 2013.

At present, it remains unclear whether Agnieszka Radwanska (current World No.4) and her sister Urszula will take part in the tournament.

The players' father Robert Radwanski has indicated that he is open to negotiations, so long as the organisers of the now defunct Warsaw Open are not involved. (nh)