WHAT IS THE TEB BNP PARIBAS WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS?
The TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships is the most prestigious and important tournament in professional women's tennis. It is the final event on the WTA calendar, contested by only the very best players in the world.
WHO PARTICIPATES IN THEM?
Players accumulate points in the WTA tournaments during the year, and at the end of the season only the Top 8 singles players participate in the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships. The doubles component of the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships is played by the four best teams of the season.
WHAT IS THE COMPETITION FORMAT?
In the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships the eight singles players are divided into two teams of four. From Tuesday through Friday the two groups play in a round robin format, meaning each player meets one another in their group. The two best-performed players of each group go on to the final phase that takes place during the weekend. In the semi-finals the first-placed woman from one group meets with the second-placed woman from the other, with the winners advancing to the final. All the matches are played to best-of-three sets.
The four-team doubles event is a straight knockout affair, with the winning team essentially needing to score semifinal and final victories.
WHAT IS THE PRIZE MONEY?
The TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships gives $4.9 million in prize money.
IS THE TEB BNP PARIBAS WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS ALWAYS HELD IN ISTANBUL?
This prestigious tournament has been held at many different venues through the years and was first staged at the Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul in 2011. It will continue to be held there through 2013.
WHAT IS THE WTA?
The WTA is the world's leading professional sport for women with more than 2,400 players representing 99 nations competing for more than $90 million in prize money at the WTA's 53 events and four Grand Slams in 33 countries. More than 5 million people attended women's tennis events in 2010 with millions more watching events on television networks around the world.
Players accumulate points during the season in these tournaments and in the four Grand Slams (Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open). At season's end, only the top eight singles players and top four doubles teams participate in the year-ending WTA Championships.
