The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tournament in Pattaya, Asia’s longest running women’s professional tennis event opens a new chapter in its history in 2009.

As a result of changes implemented by the WTA, the tournament has been upgraded to be part of the new international series with prize money of a minimum of US$220,000. It has also been re-named the PTT Pattaya Open and will be played at Dusit Thani Pattaya from 7 – 15 February 2009.

The PTT Pattaya Open has attracted an exciting line-up of players including one top ten player and three top twenty players, all of whom have risen dramatically up the rankings in 2008. With entries open until the end of December this year, more tennis stars are expected to enter the tournament in the coming weeks.

To meet the standards for the new international series, there have been several improvements made to the venue, with the addition of a fourth court on-site, improved lighting, expanded stadium capacity and better facilities for officials, the players and the media.

Qualifying matches will be played from 7 – 9 February, with the main draw starting on 9 February and running through to the finals on 15 February.

There will be 2 days of “live” TV coverage on Saturday 14 February and Sunday 15 February from 15.00 – 17.00. As well as Thailand, the live coverage will include Russia, Ukraine, the Middle East and Europe. Negotiations are continuing with other countries.

Tickets for the tournament are on sale at the following prices:

Saturday 7 February – Sunday 8 February: (qualifying rounds) – 200 baht
Monday 9 February – Thursday 12 February: (1st and 2nd rounds of main draw) - 300 baht and 500 baht
Friday 13 February – Sunday 15 February: (Quarter-finals, semi-finals and final)-300, 500, 800 and 1000 baht.

The PTT Pattaya Open is supported by PTT Public Co., Ltd, Pattaya City, Sports Authority of Thailand, Chonburi Provincial Administration, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Dusit Thani, Pattaya, Sony Ericsson, Wilson, Yonex, and J C Ferrero Equelite.