Client News
Williams sisters headline world-class field
Beijing, 24 August 2005 - The strongest line-up ever assembled for an Asian tennis tournament will head to Beijing next month for the second annual China Open.
Multiple Grand Slam winners Venus and Serena Williams, world number one Lindsay Davenport and Russian sensation Maria Sharapova headline a stellar women’s field that is already creating a buzz in the Chinese capital.
Brilliant Spanish teenager Rafael Nadal – the current French Open champion and winner of nine titles this year – is the main attraction in an impressive men’s line-up that includes three other Grand Slam winners.
The presence of so many superstars has tournament director Ekkehard Rathgeber predicting fireworks when play gets underway at the state-of-the-art Beijing Tennis Centre on 10 September.
“We’re looking forward to what should be a fantastic spectacle,” says Rathgeber, who is also Chief Operating Officer of tournament co-organiser TOM Group Limited, an associate of Hutchison Whampoa Limited.
“Chinese tennis fans will have the chance to watch the four biggest names in women’s tennis while Nadal is the hottest player in the men’s game.
“This is comfortably the best line-up there has ever been for a tournament in Asia and it is proof that the China Open is already one of the most high-profile events on the tennis calendar.”
Venus Williams, Davenport and Nadal will all be making their mainland debuts, a fact which demonstrates the tournament’s pulling power, says Rathgeber.
“The top players view China as an exciting location – certainly a refreshing change from the usual venues in North America and Europe – and as a place to win new fans. The players want to take the game to a new audience and Chinese tennis fans want to see world-class stars in action, so it’s a perfect match.”
As with last year’s event, the two-week tournament will see men’s singles and doubles played the first week (10-18 September) and women’s singles and doubles the following week (September 17-25). The tournament officially starts on September 10 with an opening ceremony and men’s qualifying matches.
Joining Nadal in the main men’s draw will be former French Open champions Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Moya, ex-Australian Open winner Thomas Johansson and Asia’s top player, Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand.
In the women’s singles, Venus Williams will be aiming to dethrone sister Serena, winner of the China Open last year, while strong competition will come from Davenport, currently in the form of her life, and 2004 Wimbledon champion Sharapova, presently rated the biggest box office draw in tennis.
The inaugural China Open made a huge impact, with high ticket sales and extensive live coverage on CCTV5, the country’s national sports channel. The men’s and women’s finals – won by Marat Safin and Serena Williams respectively – were played before sellout crowds at the 10,000-seat Centre Court.
“While last year’s tournament was an outstanding success, we are confident this year’s event will be even bigger and better,” adds Rathgeber. “We have a stronger field, CCTV5 is continuing its coverage and there is greater awareness of the China Open among mainland tennis fans. We are serving up world-class tennis at a world-class venue – and we expect there will be heavy demand for tickets.”
After supporting last year’s China Open as a patron partner, the Hong Kong-based TOM Group has stepped up its involvement this year, co-organising the tournament with the Chinese Tennis Association, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sport and China Open Promotions Limited.
The tournament is a cornerstone of TOM Group’s increasing commitment to the sports industry – the media conglomerate has an array of commercial rights in football, table tennis, volleyball, diving and golf that extends from the mainland into other parts of Asia.
“We are expanding our sports portfolio and the China Open is obviously our flagship event,” adds Rathgeber. “We are confident a successful tournament will enhance our growing reputation as a major player in the sports marketplace.”
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Released on behalf of TOM Group and the China Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.