THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SEOUL, South Korea — Japan’s Kimiko Date Krumm became the oldest winner of a WTA Tour tournament since Billie Jean King in 1983, beating second-seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain 6-3, 6-3 for the Korea Open title on Sunday.
Date Krumm turns 39 on Monday. King was 39 years seven months 23 days when she won at Birmingham, England.
The title was Date Krumm’s first in 13 years and eighth of her career. Formerly ranked No. 4 in the world, she quit tennis in 1996 before returning last year.
She beat top-seeded Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-4 in the quarter-finals and defending champion Maria Kirilenko of Russia 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the semifinals.
After needing only one hour 27 minutes to beat Medina Garrigues, Date Krumm ran to the stands to embrace her husband, German race-car driver Michael Krumm.
“Above all, my husband’s love was a big help for my win,” she said.
Medina Garrigues said she was satisfied with her week and praised Date Krumm.
“I’m really happy. Honestly, I arrived here with not a lot of confidence. To be in the final is a very good result,” she said. “Kimiko plays very, very good.”
Date Krumm won her last WTA title in August 1996, beating Spain’s Arantxa Sanchez Vicario at San Diego.
The Japanese player is confident she can play professional tennis for at least a couple of more years.
“I think I won’t have any problem in my physical strength over the next five years. But I’m married … have to have kids and have a lot of things to do,” she said. “I think I can play tennis for the next two years.”