An ambitious bid to bring a second ATP Tour tennis event to the SAR to replace the Marlboro Championships is being considered by the Hong Kong Tennis Patrons' Association (HKTPA).
The HKTPA is looking at buying the rights to the ATP Tour's Beijing Open - held in October - and moving the tournament to Hong Kong, Sports Post can reveal.
The Beijing Open's current owner, Hong Kong-based firm Sports Corporation, is believed to be keen on selling the tournament - and the HKTPA has been quick to express its interest.
HKTPA official Brian Catton said if 'three key issues' could be settled with the ATP Tour, the association would be 'very interested' in purchasing the Beijing tournament, believed to be on the market for around US$1.2 million.
Catton said he had had 'numerous' discussions with the ATP Tour's chief executive officer Mark Miles regarding the issue.
Catton said the ATP Tour harboured uncertainties over whether Hong Kong could sustain two tennis events every year, and had also said the tournament should be an indoor event.