[Loolasant]

Justine stays out of appearnce fee, Maria to decide soon
2010/02/09

By Ajitpal Singh

AUSTRALIAN Open finalist Justine Henin has decided not to participate in the US$250,000 (RM774,000) Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Malaysian International Open on Feb 22-28.

Justine’s decision comes after the organisers, Carbon Media failed to raise the money for the appearance fee for the Belgian former World No 1.

Justine, on her website, said she is back in Belgium for a break and will return to the tour in March at Indian Wells.

Maria Kirilenko, the Russian who had earlier confirmed her participation, is now in two minds.

According to a source, the World No 37 is asking for more money to play here and Carbon Media will need to raise the sum if they hope to get her. It is believed the organisers will need to raise between US$100,000 (RM340,000) and US$200,000 for each player.

Carbon Media is not expected to approach any other big names for the tournament.

“The tournament has no title sponsor so far. The ones we have approached declined, saying previous tennis tournaments in Kuala Lumpur did not attract enough publicity,” said a source yesterday.

The Malaysian International Open will be held at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort.

World No 7 Elena Dementieva of Russia leads the pack of world ranked players for the Malaysian Open.

The others are China's Li Na (10) and Zheng Jie (20), Germany's Sabine Liscki (25), India's Sania Mirza (59), Japan's Kimiko Date Krumm (62) and Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn (87

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/N...cle/index_html

[Loolasant]

Now that appearance fees are okay with the WTA, I thought it was interesting to see it addressed in the open - I can't recall seeing other articles where it is discussed this clearly, and named as a reason why a tournament can attract desired players.

Kirilenko getting $100,000 + to enter a tournament. Surprised that she is in the 6 figure category. Guess the combination of the looks, and the increased visibilty following the Aussie up'd the change it takes to get her.

Wonder how much Justine was looking for?

[RotsLoado]

So, since she was confirmed, if Kirilenko withdraws now, won't she be fined by the WTA, since it'll be obvious she didn't withdraw because of injury?

[Ekrbcbvh]

This news leaves a very bad taste in my mouth.

Of course she won't get a fine if she withdraws! She's too pretty....

[GalasaKoll]

Six figures for Kirilenko? Nuh-uh.

[qwerty1]

Six figures for Kirilenko? Nuh-uh.

lol.

I thought players were fined for withdrawls that were not because of injuries?

[attishina]

So, since she was confirmed, if Kirilenko withdraws now, won't she be fined by the WTA, since it'll be obvious she didn't withdraw because of injury?

She should be but I don't know the rule.

[RotsLoado]

Wonder how much Justine was looking for?

I thought that sentence implied that Maria is $100,000 and Justine $200,000.




Although the amount for Kirilenko does seem too high, I don't think I have a problem with her pulling out if they don't come through on their contractual obligation

[Loolasant]

I thought that sentence implied that Maria is $100,000 and Justine $200,000.

Yeah, M8, I didn't read that sentence close enough.

I'd think Justine in your tournament is easily worth 6 figures. Additional press, additional ticket sales, and you probably get one or two sponsors events that she puts in an appearance at - and there are fans that would love to meet her, I am sure. But I really can't imagine what Kirilenko brings to the table that's worth 6 figures.

[RotsLoado]

Yeah, M8, I didn't read that sentence close enough.

I'd think Justine in your tournament is easily worth 6 figures. Additional press, additional ticket sales, and you probably get one or two sponsors events that she puts in an appearance at - and there are fans that would love to meet her, I am sure. But I really can't imagine what Kirilenko brings to the table that's worth 6 figures.

That just might be the going rate for the top seed(s).

Plus, I bet a lot of money they rake in must come from private sponsors who'll also pay money for a meet'n'schmooze with the players. I'm guessing lots of rich middle-aged men will want to meet Maria
(See: San Jose, Thursday's "Ladies' Luncheon with Fernando Verdasco")

[Abofedrorobox]

The amount of money being thrown around kind of grosses me out.

[gymnAnemoe]

Yeah, M8, I didn't read that sentence close enough.

I'd think Justine in your tournament is easily worth 6 figures. Additional press, additional ticket sales, and you probably get one or two sponsors events that she puts in an appearance at - and there are fans that would love to meet her, I am sure. But I really can't imagine what Kirilenko brings to the table that's worth 6 figures.

I can.

[ulnanVti]

I can.

Selling organs doesn't count.

[gymnAnemoe]

They already have three or four players ranked higher than Makiri, including one in the Top 10 (though the only one prettier than Maria is Elena )... that must have been already a lot of money spent on them... No wonder the sponsors may be reluctant to give more...

[vintsqyuid]

Now that appearance fees are okay with the WTA, I thought it was interesting to see it addressed in the open - I can't recall seeing other articles where it is discussed this clearly, and named as a reason why a tournament can attract desired players.

Kirilenko getting $100,000 + to enter a tournament. Surprised that she is in the 6 figure category. Guess the combination of the looks, and the increased visibilty following the Aussie up'd the change it takes to get her.

Wonder how much Justine was looking for?

Late to the conversation but agree completely as her run to the quarterfinals defeating Sharapova along the way helped tremendously.

[pesty4077]

They already have three or four players ranked higher than Makiri, including one in the Top 10 (though the only one prettier than Maria is Elena )... that must have been already a lot of money spent on them... No wonder the sponsors may be reluctant to give more...

Ok, now you did cross the line, man!!!!
I demand an apology. NOBODY is prettier than Makiri (although Elena is number 2, I agree )

Serious: Why is it that the women's tour can not accept that it is the market that decides these bonuses and prices? If Makiri can be put in the Tournament Official Poster, I guess that means some more money. Having spent considerable time in the Far East, it is clear that Makiri presents an opportunity for the sponsors, specially since Sharapova is not available.
Tournaments like this one are show biz. Let the market decide.

[gymnAnemoe]

Serious: Why is it that the women's tour can not accept that it is the market that decides these bonuses and prices? If Makiri can be put in the Tournament Official Poster, I guess that means some more money. Having spent considerable time in the Far East, it is clear that Makiri presents an opportunity for the sponsors, specially since Sharapova is not available.
Tournaments like this one are show biz. Let the market decide.

Amen to that, man.

[RotsLoado]

Ok, now you did cross the line, man!!!!
I demand an apology. NOBODY is prettier than Makiri (although Elena is number 2, I agree )

Serious: Why is it that the women's tour can not accept that it is the market that decides these bonuses and prices? If Makiri can be put in the Tournament Official Poster, I guess that means some more money. Having spent considerable time in the Far East, it is clear that Makiri presents an opportunity for the sponsors, specially since Sharapova is not available.
Tournaments like this one are show biz. Let the market decide.

Didn't they just accept it by legalizing appearance fees?

[Ekrbcbvh]

I think this is a slap in the face to the tennis players that have agreed to play in this tournament.

The WTA accepting and making it legal to give appearence fees and it becoming public just doesn't look good for the other tennis players. Do ALL of them get fees?

If the 3rd ranked player is in a tournament and Makiri gets a $100,000 appearance fee...what does that say about the World's #3?

[u2ZQGC6b]

If the 3rd ranked player is in a tournament and Makiri gets a $100,000 appearance fee...what does that say about the World's #3?

There are about 20-25 capable of getting appearance fees including all top 10.


P.S. Roger was rumored to get million dollars for playing in tiny tournaments of this sort (he rarely agrees to do it these days)