Kuala Lumpur – The Malaysian leg of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, the Malaysian Tennis Classic 2010, which takes place at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort from 22 to 28 February, has been transformed to the National Open. The event will now be known as the Malaysian Open.

Tennis Malaysian Open 2010

Today’s announcement of the Malaysian Open 2010 by the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia’s (LTAM) President, Datuk Abdul Razak Latiff, is in-line with the LTAM’s vision for this event to be the National Open and the long term initiatives and development programmes put in place around the event.

The tournament will form the apex for growth of women’s tennis in Malaysia primarily at a grass-root or junior level, and by being the biggest women’s sporting event in the country, inevitably promote healthy living to women in Malaysia through sports.

Malaysia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Dato’ Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who was the guest of honour, announced the players which has confirmed their participation in the tournament. The players are:

1. Elena Dementieva (RUS) – Beijing Olympics 2008 Gold Medalist

2. Li Na (CHN) – China’s No 1

3. Sabine Lisicki (GER) – Champion of 2009 Charleston (Family Circle Cup)

4. Jie Zheng (CHN) – Wimbledon 2008 Semi-finalist

5. Melinda Czink (HUN) – Champion 2009 Quebec City (Challenge Bell)

6. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) – Champion 2009 Birmingham (AEGON Classic)

7. Jelena Dokic (AUS) – Grand Slam’s Australia Open 2009 Quarter-finalist

8. Sania Mirza (IND) – Grand Slam’s Australia Open Doubles Champion

9. Kimiko Date Krumm (JPN) – Champion 2009 Seoul (Hansol Korea Open)

10. Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) – Champion 2009 S-Hertogenbosch (Ordina Open)

Dato’ Ahmad Shabery was happy with the caliber of players registered for this year’s event and he went on to say, “As a keen tennis player myself, I am very happy at the caliber of players participating in this year’s event, which bodes well for the event and Malaysia as an attractive destination for international sports tournaments.”

More info on the tournament will be made available by the organiser soon.