Re: World Sports News & Discussion
Ive been watching some of the Shanghai Tennis Master games . Some of the games have been pretty good with many of the players thinking that its one of the best tournaments so far with top class facilities.
"..It's the only Masters 1000 event in Asia and is considered to be one of the best tournaments in the world as voted on by the players, since it began in 2009.
Tournament director Michael Luevano points to the importance they put on the relationship with the top players as one of the reasons they've been so successful.
"We know it's a long way to travel we have to be better than everyone else simply because we were in Asia. To get on a plane from anywhere is ten hours, usually for the top guys, so we have to be better then everyone else simply because its more difficult to get here. It's a more difficult environment to perform well in when you're coming from different time zones opposed to Europe or the U.S."
Luevano says they try to give the players a very unique and Chinese experience when they are here something they might not get anywhere else in the world.
General manager of Bright Public Relations, George Wei, who has been running tennis events here in Shanghai since 1999, says he agrees.
He says the players are able to see aspects of Chinese culture emerge.
"You can see the same guys all over the world but for the atmosphere and for the culture maybe it is a little different then the other cities around the world. For example if you compare the Shanghai Tennis Masters with the other eight tennis masters in the world. You will see obviously very specific Chinese culture and the emerging market in tennis."
They even go as far as having private locker rooms for the top 8 seeds which is even furnished with specially made carpet with each individuals name woven into it.
Luevano says they are working towards making this the best tournament in the world. Adding that he wants this to be more than just a tennis tournament.
"We sell the city of Shanghai one of the great cities of the world, the Paris of the east. When people think of Asia they don't necessarily think of tennis but they think of a great city. So we align ourselves very close with the history of Shanghai. Also it's one of the reasons Rolex is so happy to be are title sponsor. We share the same values."
Even the players say they love playing here because of the hospitality, the Chinese fans, the world-class facility's and that it's the highest tournament of its kind in Asia.
It also falls towards the end of the season when everyone is battling to qualify for the ATP finals. Wild card LLeyton Hewitt gives his thoughts on the tournament.
"Shanghai is fantastic every time. This is only the second time I've played it as a Masters Series event. It's one of my favorite tournaments of the year. The organization is first class. It's fantastic for the players. I hope to be back here again. As I said it's a great tournament. "
While the tournament is relatively young and has seen early success, Luevano says they are always striving to be better and with time he hopes they can be."
