The event then took a two-year break due to the venue hosting the WTA Tour Championship, thus not being played in 2009 or 2010. The tournament returned in 2011 as a Premier Event with the prize money of $721,000 and a 32-competitor singles draw (16-pair doubles draw). The tournament received Premier 5 status from 2012 to 2014, but in the 2015 WTA Season the tournament was back to a Premier event.
The event's absence in 2009 and 2010 was due to the venue hosting the WTA Tour Championship, leading to its return as a Premier Event in 2011 with a $721,000 prize pool and a 32-player singles draw (16-pair doubles draw). The tournament's status fluctuated between Premier 5 and Premier events during the period from 2012 to 2015.