SANEX WTA TOUR ANNOUNCES 2000 PLAYER AWARD WINNERS IN GALA EVENT

Venus Williams claims Player of the Year honors in star-studded evening

Indian Wells, California (March 12, 2001) – The Sanex WTA Tour held their annual Awards Gala last night at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort to honor the achievements of the 2000 women’s tennis season. Host Bob Saget, celebrity presenters and the Sanex WTA Tour’s top players highlighted the evening that included a musical concert from Vonda Shepard of the hit television show Ally McBeal.

Venus Williams was crowned Player of the Year and earned Doubles Team of the Year honors with sister Serena. 1997 French Open champion Iva Majoli was named Comeback Play of the Year after returning to the Tour from right shoulder surgery which kept her off the court for a better part of two years. Russia’s Elena Dementieva took home the award for Most Improved Player. The 19-year-old advanced to the semifinals at Indian Wells, the US Open, the Chase Championships, where she defeated No. 1 Lindsay Davenport in the opening round. Dementieva also won a silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

Other 2000 Sanex WTA Tour Award Winners include:

Martina Hingis (SUI) – Diamond Aces Award: Outstanding contribution to success of tournaments around the world

Daja Bedanova (CZE) – Newcomer of the Year: Won first Sanex WTA Tour title in Bratislava, compiled a 45-16 record in 2000, improved her Tour ranking from No. 294 to 54

Kim Clijsters (BEL) – Karen Krantzke Sportsmanship Award (voted by players)

Nicole Pratt (AUS) – Player Services Award (voted by players)

Du Maurier Open – Tournament of the Year – Tier I & II (voted by players)

Bell Challenge – Tournament of the Year – Tier III & IV (voted by players)

Tennis Masters Series Indian Wells – Tournament Achievement Award

Celebrity presenters for the evening included actors Paul Sorvino, Jon Lovitz, Norm McDonald, Tim Meadows, WNBA All-Star Lisa Leslie, Congresswoman Mary Bono and Miss World 2000 USA Natasha Allas.

The Sanex WTA Tour is the world’s premier professional sport for women with more than 1,000 players representing 76 nations competing for more than $50 million in prize money in 2001. The Tour’s 2001 season will conclude with the Sanex WTA Tour Championships in Munich, Germany from October 29-November 4.