The idea is that each city’s tournament will offer 500 points for each champion, creating a global standard tier of premium tournaments and ensuring a stronger broadcast and sponsor proposition from 2009.
The 10 cities are:
Rotterdam
Dubai
Acapulco
Memphis
Barcelona
Washington DC
Beijing
Tokyo
Basel
Valencia
In addition, Hamburg has been reserved a “500” level week. Between them, the 10 announced today will make a financial commitment to the Tour of $20.7 million from 2009, an increase in prize money of 118 per cent over 2008 for these events.
“The changes we are undertaking represent the biggest shake up of the ATP Tour since its inception but reflect a true appetite for the sport in emerging and key markets; as well as an expression of ambition and confidence in the future. In total more than $1 billion of added capital and increases in tournament ‘on site financial’ commitments will be made,” said Etienne de Villiers, Executive Chairman of the ATP.
