Tennis Superstars to mark Hua Hin Celebration

     The Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand under the patronage of His Majesty the King and the city of Hua Hin are proud to present the Centennial Invitation tennis match between tennis superstars Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams.

     The Centennial Invitation will be held at Centennial Park, Hua Hin on Saturday 2 January 2010 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Hua Hin and usher in the New Year in exciting fashion with two of the most popular tennis players in the world.

     Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams have been two of the most dominant presences in women’s tennis for the last decade. Between them they have won an amazing 10 Grand Slam, and 61 WTA, singles titles. Their rivalry is intense and their head-to-head record stands at three wins each.

     Maria will be celebrating New Year’s Eve at the new InterContinental Resort, Hua Hin and said, “I am delighted to be able to spend my New Year in Hua Hin, Thailand. I am sure it will be an exciting time and I am looking forward to competing in the Centennial Invitation.”

     Venus is also looking forward to competing in Thailand again. “I have very fond memories of my previous visits to Thailand and am really looking forward to returning for the Centennial Invitation match in Hua Hin,” she said.

     President of the Lawn Tennis Association, Mr. Suwat Lipatapanlop said he was delighted that the two tennis superstars had chosen to start their new year in Thailand. “Maria and Venus are amazing players and fantastic people, and they were delighted to have the opportunity to return to Thailand to play for the Thai people and celebrate the new year in Hua Hin,” Khun Suwat added.

     After their singles match, Maria and Venus will combine with local stars Paradorn Srichaphan and Danai Udomchoke for a set of mixed doubles.

Player Information

Maria Sharapova

Age 22 Birth date        19 April 1987 Birthplace Nyagan, Russia Residence Bradenton, FL, USA Height 188 cm Weight 59 kg Plays Right-handed Turned Pro 2001 Current WTA Singles Ranking 14 Career High WTA Singles R anking 1 (22 August 2005) Career Win/Loss 336 - 79

2009 Win/Loss 31 - 9

2009 Highlights : - Won Tokyo [Pan Pacific] - WTA Singles Titles Winner (20) 2009 - Tokyo [Pan Pacific] 2008 - Australian Open, Doha, Amelia Island 2007 - San Diego 2006 - Indian Wells, San Diego, US Open, Zürich, Linz 2005 - Tokyo [Pan Pacific], Doha, Birmingham 2004 - Birmingham, Wimbledon, Seoul, Tokyo [Japan Open], Tour Championships 2003 - Tokyo [Japan Open], Québec City

Personal facts • Coached by father, Yuri Sharapov, and Michael Joyce • Started playing at age 4 • Prefers Russian and Thai cuisine; • Signed with IMG Models in 2003. • At 2005 Australian Open, donated value of Porsche Cayenne she won at 2004 Tour Championships (approx. US$56,300) to those affected by school hostage crisis in Beslan, Russia • Named UNDP Goodwill Ambassador on 14 February 2007 • Featured in People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" • Featured in Teen People's "20 Teens Who Will Change the World" • Featured I SPORT Magazine's "21 Athletes to Watch Out For in the 21st Century" • WTA Tour Player of the Year and Most Improved Player of the Year in 2004 • Three ESPY awards; Best Female Tennis Player in 2005, Best Female Tennis Player and Best International Female Athlete in 2007

Player Information

Venus Williams

Age 29 Birth date        17 June 1980 Birthplace Lynwood, CA, USA Residence Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA Height 185 cm Weight 72.5 kg Plays Right-handed Turned Pro 1994 Current WTA Singles Ranking 6 Career High WTA Singles Ranking 1 (25 February 2002) Career Win/Loss 553 - 137

2009 Win/Loss 38 - 16

2009 Highlights : - Won Dubai, Acapulco - WTA Singles Titles Winner: (41) 2009 - Dubai, Acapulco 2008 - Wimbledon, Zürich, Tour Championships 2007 - Memphis, Wimbledon, Seoul 2005 - Istanbul, Wimbledon 2004 - Charleston, Warsaw 2003 – Antwerp 2002 - Gold Coast, Paris [Indoors], Antwerp, Amelia Island, Stanford, San Diego, New Haven 2001 - Miami, Hamburg, Wimbledon, San Diego, New Haven, US Open 2000 - Wimbledon, Stanford, San Diego, New Haven, US Open, Olympics 1999 - Oklahoma City, Miami, Hamburg, Rome, New Haven, Zürich 1998 - Oklahoma City, Miami, Grand Slam Cup.

Personal facts • Coached by father Richard Williams and mother Oracene Price; trainer is Esther Lee (formerly Kerrie Brooks) • Full name is Venus Ebony Starr Williams • Her sister, Serena, is also a tennis player and now World No.1 • Designs a line of women's leather apparel for Wilson's Leather called the Venus Williams Collection • Named first Promoter of Gender Equality as per new partnership between UNESCO and Tour aiming to promote women's leadership and gender equality in November 2006 • Clothing line is EleVen by Venus Williams, the largest line ever launched by a female athlete • Official spokesperson for the national VERB campaign to promote physical activity • Has co-written two books with Serena, titled "How to Play Tennis" (2004) and "Serving From the Hip: 10 Rules for Living, Loving and Winning" (2005). • Tennis Magazine's Most Improved Player in 1998 • Tour Player of the Year Award and Tour Doubles Team of the Year Award (with Serena) in 2000 • ESPY Award for Best Female Athlete and Best Female Tennis Player in 2002, and Best Female Tennis Player of Year Award in 2006 • President's Award at the 34th NAACP Image Awards with Serena in 2003 • The first African-American (male or female) to rank No.1 in the world on February 25, 2002. • Re-elected to the Tour Players' Council in 2002.

Sharapova, Maria (RUS) VS. Williams,Venus (USA)
Head to Head Series 3:3