Stockholm Open Loses Jonas Bjorkman But Adds Robin Soderling To Staff
epa03228888 Robin Soderling of Sweden during a news conference at the Royal Tennis Hall in Stockholm, Sweden, 21 May 2012. Soderling will miss the French Open, Wimbledon and the Olympics Games this year, the 27-year-old Swede said, cause he is still struggling with his fitness after being sidelined with mononucleosis last year. EPA/Bertil Ericson |
The Stockholm Open is facing an apparent crisis after former player and marketing director Jonas Bjorkman announced he is leaving the October indoor event.
Stockholm’s Svenska Dagbladet revealed that Bjorkman’s departure, coupled with that of fellow former player and good friend Tomas Johansson some months ago, has left the organization of the event in tatters.
“Tournament organizer Lagardère, informed a few weeks ago by Bjorkman of his decision, is now in turmoil,” wrote the daily. “Although the competition is played first in October, sponsorship agreements, players contracts and many other important pieces are in place long before then, and without their two previous key personnel hampered not least the work to put together an attractive starting field.”
Lagardere is apparently set to bring former world No. 4 Robin Soderling on as the new face of the event to try and sooth sponsors and keep the precarious financial side of the tournament afloat. He is also said to be appointed as sports director of both the Stockholm event as well as the summer clay tournament in Bastad also owned by Lagardere.
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