Shanghai Honoured; Announces Rolex As Title Sponsor

© ATPMr. Wang Wei accepts the 2009 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year Award from Brad Drewett, CEO ATP International Region.

Good fortune in the “Year of the Tiger” continues to shine on the Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 . In its inaugural year, Shanghai has been awarded the ATP Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year, as voted by the ATP players. And, from Geneva, Switzerland, Rolex announced today that it will upgrade its sponsorship to become the Title Sponsor of the event. The 2010 edition will be known as “The Shanghai Rolex Masters” .

See Full List of 2009 ATP World Tour Award Winners

“ It’s a huge success and big moment for both the tournament and Rolex,” said Arnaud Botesch, Head of Sponsorship for Rolex. “We feel honoured to join hands with the one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world, and bringing more thrilling men’s professional tennis to China.”

Established at 2009, the Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 presented by Rolex is the first tournament ever at the highest level on the ATP World Tour to be presented with named for the this prestigious award in its inaugural year.

Brad Drewett, CEO of ATP International Group, presented the trophy to Shanghai. He said: “Having the players select Shanghai as their favourite ATP Masters 1000 tournament in the event’s inaugural year is a tremendous achievement and well-deserved recognition for the hard-work and dedicated efforts of the tournament organisers.” he said.

The nine ATP Masters 1000 events are among the most prestigious tournaments on the ATP World Tour at which only the world’s best players participate, making this one of the most difficult toughest trophies awards to win. Competing for the awards includes  are Monte Carlo, started in from 1897, Canada which dates back to  started from 1881 and Cincinnati which began in since 1899. Shanghai is the only city in Asia, and the only city outside Europe and North America, to host an ATP Masters 1000 tournament. in Asia.

The award has thrilled the working team and the city.

“We are thrilled and incredibly excited about the award and it’s an amazing honour for the tournament and for Shanghai,” said Tournament Directors Michael Luevano and Leon Sun.

“We enjoyed several years as the host city for the Tennis Masters Cup but to create a full tournament took a great team and a lot of hard work. This award is a testament to their effort.