MARINA BAY CAPTIVATED AS SHARAPOVA AND CHANG PLAY ON SINGAPORE’S FIRST FLOATING TENNIS PLATFORM

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SINGAPORE, OCTOBER 23, 2015 – TAG Heuer unveiled Singapore’s first floating tennis platform at Clifford Pier last night in front of hundreds of invited guests and members of the public who had gathered along the waterfront to catch a glimpse of the spectacle.

“This historic place is where many first generation Singaporeans first set foot. Today, we’re adding a footnote to that history by launching Singapore’s first floating tennis platform,” said Ms Amelia Sillard, Vice President of TAG Heuer Southeast Asia.

The star of the evening, world number three and TAG Heuer ambassador Maria Sharapova arrived on a boat to join former world number two Michael Chang at the floating platform where they treated all along the bay to a singles game. Chang, 43, showed he still had the moves that 26 years ago earned him the record for being the youngest male player to win a singles Grand Slam title. Having just recovered from a forearm injury that forced her out of Wuhan, Sharapova looked in good form as she moved effortlessly around the floating court and hit a few winners against Chang to win the game.

For Singaporean tennis players Angeline Devi Devanthiran, 19, and Shaheed Alam, 17, the highlight of the evening was being paired with Sharapova and Chang in a mixed-doubles game. With both pairs holding serve, the game went into an unusual tie-breaker with their combined service speeds determining the winners. The Singaporeans started the contest with Shaheed serving at 158km/hand Devanthiran at 120km/h. Chang went next with a 161km/h serve. With 123km/has the speed to beat, Sharapova served 163km/hto take the game.

In the Charity Rally that followed, both pairs tried to keep the ball in play with TAG Heuer pledging $100 per rally to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The crowd watched in suspense as the longest of three rallies reached 181. Presenting a cheque of $18,100to the Foundation’sDirector of Development Ms Elaine Tan, MrLucDecroix, Vice President of Global Sales, TAG Heuer, said, “History is written in moments of adversity and in the superhuman will to overcome. That will exists not just in sport, but in everyday life, especially in the boys and girls of the Make-A-Wish Foundation who remain strong in the face of illness.”

Demonstrating that will was 8-year-old Joshua Ong who suffers from non-Hodgkin lymphoma and whose wish was to meet a real-life sports superstar. His wish was fulfilled when he presented the new TAG Heuer Limited Edition SG50 Aquaracer to Sharapova on court. The five-time world number one gave him a hug and an autographed HEAD tennis racquet.

At a press conference held later, she addressed questions on her readiness for the Finals saying, “I’m healthy now. I spent the last few weeks healing up and I came out here early to acclimatise.”

SINGAPORE, OCTOBER 21, 2015 – TAG Heuer is building Singapore’s first ever floating tennis platform ahead of the WTA Finals in Singapore. Stretching out 35 by 17 metres across the water at Clifford Pier, and weighing up to 10 cars, the floating court will be unveiled on October 22 in what is promised to be an evening of sporting glamour and a key event on the fringe of the tournament.

The floating court will take 10 days to build and install, and will be the stage for an exhibition game between two tennis icons who have played the sport at the highest levels – five-time world number one and TAG Heuer ambassador Maria Sharapova, and former tennis player Michael Chang. Guests and the public can get up close to the action from the deck at Clifford Pier, while all along the bay, the floating court will offer a visual spectacle.

Hailed by tennis legend John McEnroe as “one of the greatest competitors our sport has ever seen,” Sharapova, who is currently in second place on the WTA leaderboard coming into the Finals, will be looking to bounce back from a forearm injury to register her first win in Singapore. She will arrive at the floating court in style, on a boat.

Chang, who is now coach to top Japanese player Kei Nishikori, still holds the record for being the youngest Grand Slam winner when he won the French Open in 1989 at the age of 17. He will take on Sharapova in a friendly mixed-doubles game. They will be paired with 19-year-old Angeline Devi Devanthiran and 17-year-old Shaheed Alam who both represented Singapore for the first time at the 28th SEA Games in June. There will also be a Charity Rally where TAG Heuer will donate $100 per rally in the longest rally played.

In addition, the event will see eight-year-old Joshua Wong’s wish come true. The young tennis fan suffers from non-Hodgkin lymphoma and TAG Heuer has partnered Make-A-Wish Foundation to realise Joshua’s wish to meet a real-life sports star. He will present the TAG Heuer limited edition SG50 Aquaracer to Sharapova on court in the presence of hundreds of guests.

The party will continue indoors with press conferences with Sharapova and Chang, as well as a TAG Heuer showcase, live music and other activities. 

TAG Heuer presents Maria Sharapova on Singapore’s 1^st Floating Tennis Platform
Thurs, 22 Oct 2015, 6:30pm
Clifford Pier, Fullerton Bay Hotel
80 Collyer Quay 
Singapore 049326