Top-Ranked Tennis Star Maria Sharapova Swings by to Hong Kong

HONG KONG, CHINA--(Marketwired - Mar 4, 2014) -  Ranked World No.5 by the Women's Tennis Association and with 29 WTA singles championships, including four Grand Slam singles titles to become the top Russian female player, Maria Sharapova sets foot onto the tennis courts before she joins the other A-list athletes at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. Tennis fans can now get up close to this Russian sporting legend and learn how to master her forehand swing!

Sharapova started her passion for tennis at the age of four and made her professional ground-breaking debut in 2004 when she was 17 by defeating top seed Serena Williams to earn her first Grand Slam singles title at the 2004 Wimbledon Final. Following this she was ranked world No.1 in 2005 and subsequently, she went on to win more major titles at the 2006 US Open and 2008 Australian Open. By capturing her fourth Grand Slam title at the 2012 French Open, she became the sixth women in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam in singles.

On top of her tennis success, the Russian superstar has been the face of many luxury brands and was listed as one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world. For Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, Sharapova will be styled in her sports outfit as she appeared when she won the 2012 French Open and striking her winning forehand pose for victory.

"Sharapova will be the first tennis star to be part of Madame Tussauds Hong Kong and tennis fanatics can challenge her in a game of tennis with the interactive experience. We are excited to welcome Sharapova to the attraction and we hope to bring in many more rising stars from the sports world this year," says Kelly Mak, General Manager of Madame Tussauds Hong Kong.

Maria Sharapova will take up permanent residence at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong in 'The Champions' area, joining other sports stars such as David Beckham and Yao Ming.

Images

Maria Sharapova sets foot onto the tennis courts before she joins Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
http://release.media-outreach.com/release.php/Images/1588

Sharapova will be styled in her sports outfit at the 2012 French Open
http://release.media-outreach.com/release.php/Images/1590

Sharapova will be the first tennis star to be part of Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
http://release.media-outreach.com/release.php/Images/1589

Company Logo
http://release.media-outreach.com/release.php/Images/1452

About Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is a unique celebrity-inspired attraction that connects guests with famous people, famous events and famous times. Featuring ten themed areas, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong provides guests with the opportunity to meet their idols and do the things that famous people do!

The attraction features over 100 local and international celebrity wax figures with exciting audiovisual effects and interactive experiences to create truly magical moments for all guests.

Originally opened in August 2000, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is the first permanent Madame Tussauds in Asia. There are fifteen Madame Tussauds around the world, which are located in London, New York, Las Vegas, Amsterdam, Shanghai, Washington D.C., Berlin, Hollywood, Bangkok, Vienna, Blackpool, Wuhan, Sydney and Tokyo.

Madame Tussauds Hong Kong welcomes guests from 10am to 10pm daily. For ticket enquiries, please call (852) 2849 6966 or visit www.madametussauds.com/hongkong/

About Merlin Entertainments Group
MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS plc is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment. Europe's Number 1 and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 99 attractions, 9 hotels/3 holiday villages in 22 countries and across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 54 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 22,000 employees. 

Merlin currently has ten attractions in Asia including Madame Tussauds in Bangkok, Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Wuhan, China; the fantastic LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort with its theme park, hotel and water park; world leading aquaria in Busan, Bangkok and Shanghai, underlining the company's position as the world's biggest global aquarium operator; and a LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Tokyo. Attractions are also in development in Chongqing; Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.