Some of the greatest players ever to grace the tennis court will return to Edinburgh as the ATP Champions Tour rolls into the capital for the second annual Brodies Champions of Tennis on 19-22 June.
The inaugural event in Stockbridge saw 10,000 spectators enjoy thrilling matches between the likes of John McEnroe, Goran Ivanisevic, Tim Henman, Greg Rusedski and the eventual winner and ex-world number four Thomas Enqvist.
Looking forward to defending his crown at the home of Edinburgh Academical FC, Enqvist said: “I’m very happy to come back and play and try to defend my title in Edinburgh. I know I speak for all of the players when I say we had a great time last year. It really was a fantastic event.
“With Scottish tennis blooming from the success of Andy Murray, I’m sure we will see great crowds this year too.”
Tournament Director Viki Mendelssohn said: “The support for the event in its first year was incredible and the quality of tennis on display was something to inspire people of all ages – whether they remember the players in their heyday or are new to the sport.
“We’ve learnt a lot from our first year and have made some significant improvements to the spectator experience so we’re looking forward to another terrific weekend of tennis from some of the game’s best known names.”
Managing Partner of Brodies LLP, this year’s main sponsor, Bill Drummond, said: “We look forward to building on the success of last year’s tournament with a stellar line-up featuring some of the biggest names in the history of the game.
“2014 promises to be a brilliant year of sport for Scotland and we hope that Brodies Champions of Tennis will give a further boost to our country’s standing as a world-class sporting destination by bringing together legendary players, sports fans of all ages and business people from across Scotland to share the excitement.
“At Brodies we are passionate about sport and have a strong track record of helping young people develop their sporting skills through the winning formula of commitment and hard work, which has also stood our firm and our lawyers in good stead. We believe in celebrating achievement and in encouraging success – what better role models could you have than tennis legends of the calibre that will be taking part in Brodies Champions of Tennis?
“In addition to the economic benefits that the tournament brings to our Capital and to Scottish businesses, we are also proud to back an event that supports schools, local communities and charities, including our official charity partner, Maggie’s.”
Cllr Steve Cardownie, Festival & Events Champion, City of Edinburgh Council said: “Edinburgh has a worldwide reputation for staging some of the greatest cultural and sporting events and the return of the ATP Champions Tour will be another star fixture on the city’s summer calendar. It’s fantastic that this tour will bring together some of the greatest tennis legends in one place and following the experience of the 2013 event we will ensure spectators watch some of the greatest ever tennis players in action.”
Jan Felgate, Head of the ATP Champions Tour, said: “I was delighted with the way the ATP Champions Tour was welcomed in Scotland. The players thoroughly enjoyed their time and are looking forward to returning. There were so many positive comments from the players and officials following last year and we are looking forward to working with the Brodies Champions of Tennis team to ensure another thriving event.”
For some, the 2013 event was marred by inclement weather which delayed play on the Saturday afternoon. Having reviewed the event and spectator feedback a number of significant developments have been put in place for 2014 including an extension to the stadium roof, new ticket packages and a loyalty package for repeat ticket purchasers.
Tickets for Brodies Champions of Tennis are priced from £30 – £110 and available for public sale from Friday 28th March 2014 at www.championsoftennis.com
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
Same people organising it. After last year’s F U to those of us affected by the “inclement weather” I won’t be going. I have an appointment to have my fingernails removed with a rusty pliers on those days which I expect will be more fun.
Keep your fingers crossed for no rain because their claims last year that rain would not stop play were wrong. Last year was a complete shambles and they refused to give any refunds to people who had spend hundreds of pounds to see some tennis. I won’t be spending any money with them or with their sponsors ever again.
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