The partnership, which begins immediately and extends into at least 2009, provides benefits for players, officials and ATP staff who travel to the ATP’s 64 tournaments in 31 countries.
South African Airways will activate marketing initiatives with the ATP on a number of fronts, including special events, advertising, tournament promotions, television, publications and advanced media.
“This is the perfect alliance between two organisations as South African Airways expands into the global marketplace by joining the Star Alliance while the ATP helps to establish professional tennis as the premier global sports network,” said ATP executive chairman and president Etienne de Villiers.
“SAA shares our vision of promoting and marketing the game, players and tournaments in a new fashion,” he added.
The partnership coincides with South African Airways formally joining the Star Alliance, allowing additional flexibility in air travel through 17 airlines flying to 153 countries and approximately 8,000 destinations.
South African Airways CEO Khaya Ngqula said: “SAA, along with its Star Alliance partners is operating in a global environment and we are delighted to be able to showcase SAA, South Africa's national carrier, to a whole new market of potential visitors.”
South African Airways joins HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports, Li-Ning Sports Goods Company and Stanford Financial Group in securing new agreements with the ATP this year.
They join a group of partners led by Premium Partner Mercedes-Benz (which last year extended its partnership through 2008), Indesit, Ricoh, Lotto, AOL, Gerflor, Tennis Warehouse, Waterford Crystal, Club Med and Luxilon.
