Madrid WTA Championships hailed as best ever

MADRID, Nov 13 (Reuters) The Spanish capital Madrid won the right to retain the WTA Championships after what was widely regarded as one of the most successful and entertaining women's tournaments in recent years.

Only once before in the event's 34-year history had the WTA Championships been held outside the United States when it was taken to Munich in 2001. That experiment ended in failure in the face of popular apathy and a walkover final.

This time the Madrid tournament was hailed as an outstanding success by WTA officials, sponsors and players past and present.

''This has been the best Championships of all time,'' said tennis great Billie Jean King, a sentiment echoed by WTA Chief Executive Larry Scott.

''It's been a fantastic week that has exceeded all expectations,'' said Scott.

''We have been incredibly impressed with the support and excitement from the business community, fans, media and city for the Tour Championships, and could not think of a better home to again showcase our crown jewel event.'' With Spain no longer producing players of the quality of former number one Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario or ex-Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, there were some question marks over the likely public response, especially given the city had hosted a men's Masters Series event just three weeks before.

But the appetite of the Madrid public was clearly not sated and over 54,000 spectators turned up during the course of the six-day tournament.

Attendance figures were no doubt helped by the fact that all top eight players were able to participate in the event, although eventual winner Justine Henin-Hardenne, holder Amelie Mauresmo and two-times champion Kim Clijsters had all been doubtful because of injury just weeks before.

The glamour element that has become increasingly important in the projection of the women's tour was accentuated by the presence of the in-form 19-year-old Russian Maria Sharapova and the organisers's decision to use male models as ball boys.

ADDED SPICE The possibility of a fairytale end to Martina Hingis's comeback season also heightened interest, while extra spice was added by the fact that three players - Mauresmo, Sharapova and Henin-Hardenne - went into the tournament chasing the year-end number one spot.

But most importantly of all the quality of tennis on show was of the highest order. There were no dead rubber round-robin matches and the identity of the semi-finalists was in doubt until the Friday.

Spanish great Manuel Santana said the titanic struggle between Clijsters and Mauresmo in the semi-finals was the best women's match he had ever seen.

US Open champion Sharapova was in imperious form in the round robin phase, but eventually fell to the guile and determination of the Henin-Hardenne.

Mauresmo won the hearts of the Spanish fans by recovering from an opening day defeat to Nadia Petrova and then fighting her way back from a set down to beat Hingis and Henin-Hardenne to qualify for the last four.

The final between Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Mauresmo and French Open winner Henin-Hardenne in which both players exhibited some top-class tennis was a fitting end to the season.

In the end the Belgian's victory was thoroughly deserved and with it she became the first player since Steffi Graf in 1993 to reach the final of all four grand slams and win the season-ending Championships.

REUTERS PDS PM1822