ATP gives all-clear to promoters
THE Association of Tennis Professionals have concluded an investigation of Hong Kong sports promoters Spectrum - and have given them the all-clear to carry on with their promotion of tennis in the territory, writes Nazvi Careem.
Spectrum were under investigation over dealings with the cancelled China Open and the alleged non-payment of prize money for last year's Kuala Lumpur tournament.
Michael Duff, executive vice president of the ATP said yesterday: 'The review of Spectrum's relationship with the ATP has been completed.
'Because of policy, the issues of the review are confidential, but Spectrum's ownership of the tournament will remain unchanged and we hope that it will remain as the premier event even after 1997.' The China Open was cancelled due to differences between the ATP, the Chinese Tennis Association and Spectrum.
But Duff is confident that the China Open will once again return to the international calendar.
'We expect a tournament in China to be held this year,' added Duff. 'We would like to find some opportunity to have an event in Shanghai or Guangzhou.' Duff said that the Hong Kong event remains as a top drawcard for the players.
'To have a cut-off at 77 is extraordinary,' he said. 'It shows how much players enjoy coming out to this part of the world and how much they enjoy coming here.'
