EDINBURGH TOURNAMENT CANCELLED

Written by: Staff on 18th June 2014

EDINBURGH TOURNAMENT CANCELLED

epa03551456 Roger Federer of Switzerland prepares to serve during his quarter final match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 23 January 2013. EPA/Barbara Walton |

On the face of things, tennis in Scotland has never had it so good; a Wimbledon champion, half of the British Davis Cup team that further this year than in the last 28 years and a voice, in Judy Murray, that manages to make all the powers that be stand up and take notice.

However, cold hard finance, and the equally chilly and inclement Scottish weather has taken its toll and a tournament in Edinburgh featuring legends John McEnroe and Tim Henman has been cancelled, forcing the organizers to go into administration.

Last year the Brodies Champions of Tennis at the historic Scottish city’s Raeburn Place was a wash-out because of persistent rain. The avoid a repeat this year, from June 19 thru 22, looked to erect a better roof over the court but technical difficulties have proved to be insurmountable and with just days remaining the event died a death with the worst kind of financial consequences.

In a statement, organizers Serve & Volley Ltd said: “We are disappointed to advise that we have had to take the difficult decision to cancel this week’s Champions of Tennis tournament.

“Following on from last year’s event we revised the design of the roof covering the court to provide better weather protection. This resulted in a unique and complex design, which required specialists to manage and oversee the build. Due to unforeseen circumstances the specialist team has been unable to facilitate the build and despite extensively investigating all alternative options we have not been able to secure a solution.

“We fully appreciate the disappointment this will cause customers, sponsors and suppliers; this decision has not been taken lightly. The unavoidable cancellation resulting from the problems experienced with the roof has resulted in the organizers, Serve & Volley Ltd, entering into voluntary liquidation. Administrators are to be appointed over the coming days and will be in contact with all suppliers in due course.”

Volunteers, including umpires and line judges, were told the news in an shock e-mail from Paul Thomson, an assistant to tournament director Viki Mendelssohn, yesterday lunchtime. It read: “Some very bad news. Just been told the event has been cancelled due to tech difficulties.

“I know this will affect you all in a variety of ways. Sorry to be bearer of bad news. From a personal perspective, thank you for working so hard and being such an enthusiastic person in the group. Sorry to let you down. Hope to speak to you soon in better circumstances.”

A spokesman for sponsor Brodies LLP said: “At an early morning meeting today with the organizers of Champions of Tennis, Serve & Volley Limited, we learned that the enlarged roof over the Champions of Tennis court cannot be erected effectively. This outcome was contrary to all assurances given to us by the organizers.

“They advised us at the meeting that they were looking at options to reorganize the event as an open-air tournament, but we understand that this proved impractical in the time available. As sponsors, we are hugely disappointed that this has caused the cancellation of the tournament by Serve & Volley at this stage. We share the frustration of the many tennis fans who bought tickets expecting to see a premier sporting event.

“However, based on current weather forecasts, there is a measure of risk of a repeat of the upset caused to some spectators by disruption of some of the sessions due to rain at last year’s event, when there was a roof in place. We believe that pressing ahead with the championship under these circumstances would not be fair to ticket holders, who bought tickets expecting the additional protection this year of an extended court roof.”

Tournament director Viki Mendlessohn was unavailable for comment as was Jan Felgate who helps organize the event on behalf of the ATP Champions Tour.

Topics: Atp, Edinburgh, Tennis, Tennis News, Wimbledon

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10sBalls_com says:

June 18, 2014 at 10:27 am

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