Beijing optimistic of landing new "super" tournament

Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:14AM GMT
 
By Nick Mulvenney

SANYA, China (Reuters) - A high-powered delegation from Beijing will fly to Miami next week, optimistic of returning home with one of the new ATP and WTA "super" tournaments, a senior China Open official said on Friday.

A new tier of four nine-day joint men and women's tournaments are scheduled to debut the season after next, two in the United States, one in Europe and one in Asia -- with Beijing and Shanghai set to battle it out for the region's honour.

 David Chi, director of operations for the China Open, said the vice mayor of Beijing in charge of sport Zhao Fengtong would accompany their delegation to Florida.

"We're very optimistic, given the support from local government and the feedback we've got from the market," Chi told Reuters by telephone from Beijing.

"Beijing, as the capital, would be in a better position to get the attention of the whole nation.

"Beijing is welcoming the Olympics next year and we'll be able to offer experience in managing a huge international event."

Shanghai will host the Masters Cup, the season-ending ATP tour championship for the top eight men in the world, for another two years before it returns to Europe for 2009. 

Tennis officials from China's commercial capital said last year they thought the new event would be fitting compensation for giving up their option to the 2009 Masters Cup.

BETTER BLUEPRINT

Chi said he doubted that a deal had already been done behind closed doors and that the China Open was a better blueprint for kind of event envisaged.

"The current China Open, with men and women playing back-to-back in consecutive weeks is already an extraordinary event," he said.

"We've been able to attract some of the biggest names in tennis over the last three years and we've already got some big names signed up for 2007.

"If you look at the Masters Cup, it's just the rights to an event. The China Open is a brand that belongs to China."

Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal are among the players who have played at the China Open, although the tournament -- which takes place after the U.S. Open -- has suffered from several high profile withdrawals.

"This happens with all tournaments. But obviously a new position in the schedule would be attractive," Chi added.