The Chinese #1 and world #23 female tennis player, Wang Qiang, secured on Oct 15 the sole wildcard in the Oct 30 to Nov 4 WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai, giving her the chance to compete in the 12-player field.

Chinese wildcard holders in previous tournaments include Zheng Saisai, Zhang Shuai, and Peng Shuai.

Managing director of the Asia-Pacific branch of the WTA, Fabrice Chouquet, recognized that the receipt of the wildcard had a fantastic year in the sport.

Wang Qiang, top-ranking female tennis player in China [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Daily]

Wang won her first two WTA career titles at Nanchang and Guangzhou, and was also a semifinalist at Hiroshima, Wuhan, and Beijing, recording victories in 35 singles competitions this season. She reached her best singles world ranking on Oct 15 and became the top-ranked Chinese female tennis player.

"It is my great pleasure to participate in this tournament, where I will try my best to be the first Chinese player to win the trophy," said Wang.

As the season finale of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Tour, the Zhuhai tournament, now in its 4th year, offers the overall champion 700 ranking points as well as the lion's share of $2.35 million in prize money.