A week after the calendar's only other South American stop in Bogotá, the WTA returned to Brazil for the first time in over a decade with the inaugural WTA Brasil Tennis Cup in Florianopolis in February 2013.

"Definitely I will come here next year to defend my title," said inaugural champion Monica Niculescu after winning her first WTA title. "The transport, the food, the hotel - it was all fantastic. It was also near the mall and the beach is beautiful too. I had all I needed in Florianopolis this week - everything was perfect."

Previously the host of ITF Women's Circuit events, Florianopolis is the hometown of ATP legend Gustavo Kuerten. It is the capital city and second largest city of the Santa Catarina state in southern Brazil.

Known for having a very high quality of life, Florianopolis' economy is heavily based on information technology, tourism and services. It is also a surfing mecca, as the island is considered to have the best and most consistent waves in the country.

Other WTA tournaments in Brazil over the years have been held in Bahia, Curitiba, Guaruja and São Paulo. Rio de Janeiro will be added to that list in 2014.