ATP University Celebrates 700th Graduate Since 1990

© ATPATP University graduates

ATP University celebrated its 700th graduate since the program began in 1990, with its newest class of 21 players successfully completing the workshop held from March 19- 21 at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

Administered by the ATP's Player Relations department, the ATP University featured classroom presentations made by ATP executives and outside experts specializing in the fields of communications, finance, and medicine. The workshop covered topics including the history of the ATP, how to control personal finances, and the importance of the media and promoting the sport.

"I thought it was a great experience to get to know more about the ATP which, is ultimately our organization," said Colombian Santiago Giraldo. "I thought the top three presentations were marketing, media training, and the president's (Etienne de Villiers). There was good scheduling with a good atmosphere in a nice place."

"It was a very nice human experience to meet other players outside the court," said Belgian Steve Darcis, who recently won his second career ATP title in Memphis. "We learned many things that we could use in life and in the sport. Everything was interesting but I thought talking to the press (media training) was very important for us."

American Donald Young pinpointed the personal finance session as his favorite, while compatriot John Isner lauded ATP Chief Marketing Officer Phil Anderton's Player Promotion presentation: "He was very informative. It really opened my eyes about what I can do to get my name out there. This is definitely something every other player should attend.”

An ATP IQ game to test the players' retention and knowledge of the ATP took place at the end of the three-day workshop, with German Mischa Zverev finishing first, Darcis second and South African Kevin Anderson third.

Zverev had come into ATP University with low expectations, but gave it his seal of approval upon graduation: "It was better than I expected. I thought it was going be too much like school boring but it was not. It was actually very busy with the University in the morning, practice in the afternoon and we went to Disney also."

2008 ATP University Graduate List
Anderson, Kevin (RSA)
Bolelli, Simone (ITA)
Bopanna, Rohan (IND)
Cuevas, Pablo (URU)
Darcis, Steve (BEL)
Fognini, Fabio (ITA)
Gil, Frederico (POR)
Giraldo, Santiago (COL)
Gremelmayr, Denis (GER)
Hartfield, Diego (ARG)
Isner, John (USA)
Meffert, Dominik (GER)
Petzschner, Philipp (GER)
Ratiwatana, Sanchai (THA)
Ratiwatana, Sonchat (THA)
Recouderc, Laurent (FRA)
Sela, Dudi (ISR)
Serra, Florent (FRA)
Troicki, Victor (SRB)
Young, Donald (USA)
Zverev, Mischa (GER)

A fundamental concept of the ATP is that the players have an integral role in the direction, image and destiny of the men's game. In 1990 the ATP Player Council recognized that for the long-term growth of the game, it was essential to educate young players as they came onto the circuit. The ATP University is designed to make players more responsible tennis professionals.

Recognizing the long-term benefit to the players, the ATP and to the game, the ATP is firmly committed to the University program. All Division 1 ATP player members must pass through the University.