Masters Series May Replace Masters Cup in Shanghai in 2009 2006-11-17 23:51:41 Xinhua
Executive Chairman and President of the ATP, Etienne de Villers hopes that Shanghai would hold the ATP Tennis Masters Series in 2009, instead of the current Masters Cup. "Shanghai's Masters Cups are perfect. I'm quite satisfied with the job that Shanghai did. My suggestion is that, to extend tennis in China, Masters Series will be a better choice." said De Villiers while he was interviewed by journalists from Xinhua News Agency. The ATP Tennis Masters Cup is the final event of every season. Top eight men's singles players and men's double pairs will attend it and compete for the Masters Cup. Shanghai held the 2002 and 2005's Masters Cups and is now holding the 2006's. According to the contract signed by the Shanghai Government and ATP, Shanghai will still conduct the coming two years' event and also have the priority of holding the 2009's. "China will hold the Summer Olypmics in 2008. It is a very important target in the ATP's development programme. To extend tennis in China more effectively, Masters Series will be a better choice." said De Villiers. Masters Cup had been away from Europe for seven years since it was held in Sydney, Houston and Shanghai. European and American fans complained the match schedule and the broadcating fee were also affected. Shanghai also has the willingness to hold a higher-level event like the Masters Series for more players will come and the schedule will be longer. But in 2009, the nine Masters Series will be reduced to eight and Asia will have only one quota. De Villiers expressed his strong confidence in Shanghai's advantages: "I strongly support Shanghai to hold one 2009 Masters Series event. You can see how Chinese fans like tennis through every match, such as the one between Federer and Roddick." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
