The company will be the tournament’s exclusive international bank sponsor from 2006-07. The new deal extends its relationship with the event to three years. It first signed as a premier sponsor in 2005.
The Tennis Masters Cup, co-owned by the ATP, ITF and Grand Slams, is the culminating event of the men's professional tennis circuit.
Stephen Thomas, director of corporate affairs, Citigroup China: “It is pleasing to extend our commitment to this tournament for another two years, which we hope will contribute to the ongoing development of tennis here, while enhancing China’s growing reputation as a host of international sporting events.”
Added Brad Drewett, Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai tournament director: “The Masters Cup is one of the largest annual sporting events in China and has developed an enormous public following there. Sponsors capitalise on this as well as the strong international broadcast coverage, which makes it an ideal event for global sponsors like Citigroup.”
Citigroup is one of ten premier sponsors. The others include: Lacoste, Indesit, Rado, China Mobile, Shui On Land, Haworth Furniture, China Pacific Insurance, China Union Pay and Shanghai Petro. Heineken is the event’s founding sponsor and Mercedes-Benz a principal sponsor.
