ATP releases 2009-2011 tournament calendars

The ATP unveiled on Thursday its 2009, 2010 and 2011 tournament calendars, which include many changes that will help the ATP become more fan friendly. Following the completion of the Australian Open, a brand new event in Johannesburg, South Africa will be played, marking the first ever ATP level event in Africa.

The ATP Board announced that the current nine Masters Series events will now be called Masters 1000, while 11 tournaments will be considered “500” events and the remaining 41 will be “250” events. The year end championships will now be called the ATP World Tour Finals and will take place in London. With over $1 billion to be spent on building new and upgrading current tennis facilities, as well five years worth of extra financial commitments, the ATP will take on a new look.

“The changes we are undertaking represent the biggest modernization of the ATP Tour since its inception and highlight the growing appetite for men’s tennis globally, both in established and emerging markets,” said Etienne de Villiers, Executive Chairman of the ATP. “This series of bold changes and huge investment underlines the level of ambition and confidence that the sport has in the future. The $800 million of investment into facilities and record $100 million in 2009 Tour financial commitments underlines that in the boldest way possible. Our aim has always been to ensure we have the best players playing in the best stadium, in the best markets at the right time. Our players, fans, tournaments, broadcasters and sponsors deserve a world class Tour and that is what we will be giving them from 2009 onwards.”

Croatian tennis star and current ATP Board member Ivan Ljubicic insists that the changes will be extremely positive for the players, the fans and anyone who follows the ATP Tour. The new look to the schedule will help reduce travel for the players and a healthier schedule for players. This is critical since many top players including Rafael Nadal have complained off the rough schedule, especially during the European clay court season.

Following the US Open, the ATP has announced an Asian tournament swing in which players can play in events at locations such as Bangkok, Beijing, Tokyo and finish at a Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai. The season will be completed by an improved European indoor tennis swing with tournaments being held in locations such as Stockholm, Moscow and St. Petersburg, all this leading up to the ATP World Tour Finals at the top of the line O2 Arena in London.

More marketing and promoting of the ATP World Tour will be launched starting in 2009, starting with a new brand identity and look. The tournament schedules can be found on the ATP Tour official website.