Discussions are already underway with a number of prospective hosts for these
events which will staged on all-glass courts in exciting locations -
featuring prize funds of US$150,000 and with television highlights programmes
being distributed to all continents.
Planned titles are Asian,
European, North American, South American, African, Oceania and Gulf Grand
Slams.
Each event will feature main and qualification draws of 32 players each, and
will have places reserved for top players from the host region and country.
"Recognising the special
status of these events, we will be introducing a new elevated ranking points
band for these championships, together with the World Open - one step higher
than our current top Platinum level, which features titles such as the
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open," explained WISPA Chief Executive Andrew
Shelley.
"These Grand Slam events will add a major new tier to our integrated World
Tour, which ranges from the World Open, through the Grand Slam, into Platinum
and then to our Gold, Silver and Tour levels: A really strong backbone
providing competitive and promotional opportunities at all levels.
"WISPA is confident that this
exciting step forward will significantly strengthen the WISPA Tour as well as
public and media interest as we go forward - and hopefully support the
momentum towards gaining a place in the Olympics programme," he added.
