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Masters Cup expected to add prestige to Beijing Olympics
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2006-03-24 17:47
BOCOG
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(BEIJING, March 23) -- Encouraged by the news that the Tennis Masters Cup tournament will stay in Shanghai until 2008, host Chinese are prepared to continue making the annual event a success, China Sports Daily reported.
"It’s known to all that the 2008 Olympic Games will be held in Beijing. We hope the Tennis Masters Cup can add to the prestige of the ’Sports Year’. And we are fully confident that the Masters Cup in 2008 will be more successful than ever," Qiu Weichang, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Administration of Sports was quoted as saying.
The decision to extend Shanghai’s rights of hosting the event reflects the booming popularity of tennis in China and the success of the Masters Cup in 2002 and 2005, analysts said.
"Shanghai has already staged two outstanding Tennis Masters Cup events, and we can now look forward to building on these successes for at least another three years. I am confident the Masters Cup will continue to play its significant role in the development and popularity of tennis in Shanghai and China." said Brad Drewett, Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai Tournament Director.
The Tennis Masters Cup, co-owned by the ATP, ITF and Grand Slams, is the culminating event of the men’s professional tennis circuit. In 2002 Lleyton Hewitt won the title. In 2005 Argentine David Nalbandian was crowned champion after defeating two-time defending champion Roger Federer.
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