With one month to go before this year’s Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open, organisers confirmed on Tuesday that two-time Australian Open and former World No.1 Victoria Azarenka is set to join the already spectacular player field for the 2018 tournament.

Azarenka has accepted a wildcard into the $2,746,250 WTA Premier 5 tournament, which will be held in the Central Chinese city of Wuhan 21 - 29 September. The tournament is marking its fifth birthday this year by hosting a glittering player field which includes all ten of the top 10 and 19 of the world’s top 20 as well as a host of reigning and former Grand Slam singles and doubles champions.

Victoria Azarenka said:
“It’s great to be going back to Wuhan and I’m grateful for the opportunity to play in front of the Wuhan fans again. I haven’t played there in a while and I’m excited to see how much it’s grown and improved. I know that it’s celebrating it’s fifth birthday this year so it’s going to be a special year for the tournament and I’m happy that I get to be part of that.”

Wuhan Open Tournament Co-Director Fabrice Chouquet said:
“Vika is a huge favourite with fans wherever she plays, as well as being a multiple Grand Slam champion and one of the most talented players of her generation. We’re delighted to welcome her back to Wuhan to join this year’s incredibly strong line-up. With one month to go before the first shot is hit, we couldn’t be more excited about this year’s event.”

Azarenka is currently ranked 80 in the world and took a break away from tennis while she had her son Leo. She has won 20 career WTA singles titles and $29,072,861 in career prizemoney. She reached the semi-finals of the Miami Open in March this year, her best WTA Tour result since returning to tennis.

For more information on Victoria Azarenka:

http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/312001/title/victoria-azarenka-0

Top 20 players also competing in 2018 Wuhan Open (ranking in brackets)

Simone Halep (1)

Caroline Wozniacki (2)

Sloane Stephens (3)

Angelique Kerber (4)

Petra Kvitova (5)

Caroline Garcia (6)

Elina Svitolina (7)

Karolina Pliskova (8)

Julia Goerges (9)

Jelena Ostapenko (10)

Daria Kasatkina (11)

Garbiñe Muguruza (12)

Kiki Bertens (13)

Madison Keys (14)

Elise Mertens (15)

Ashleigh Barty (17)

Anastasija Sevastova (18)

Mihaela Buzarnescu (20)

Halep, Wozniacki, Stephens, Kerber, Kvitova, Muguruza, Ostapenko, Azarenka 

The 2018 Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open takes place between 21-29 September 2018. For more information and to buy tickets visit: www.wuhanopen.org and www.4008702014.com