ATP ANNOUNCES THE 2014 ATP WORLD TOUR TOURNAMENTS OF THE YEAR

Written by: Staff on 26th February 2015

ATP ANNOUNCES THE 2014 ATP WORLD TOUR TOURNAMENTS OF THE YEAR

epa04638471 Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a ball to spectators after winning against Richard Gasquet of France during their quarter final match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis ATP Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 26 February 2015. EPA/ALI HAIDER |

The ATP has announced the Tournaments of the Year in the 2014 ATP World Tour Awards presented by Moët & Chandon, with the BNP Paribas Open joining repeat winners the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and the Aegon Championships as the most favoured ATP World Tour events in their respective tournament categories.

The Tournament of the Year awards, voted annually by ATP players, recognise the leading standards set across the three tournament categories on the Tour. Indian Wells, Dubai and The Queen’s Club in London win respectively at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000, 500 and 250 levels.

“Congratulations to these three tournaments,” said Chris Kermode, ATP Executive Chairman & President. “They have set the benchmark in their respective tournament categories in 2014, not only in terms of providing a terrific experience for the fans, but also for offering a range of world-class facilities for the players. Each one is truly deserving of this important recognition, as voted for by the players.”

The BNP Paribas Open receives the honour for the first time in its 40-year history, ending the Shanghai Rolex Masters’s five-year reign as the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year.

In 2014, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden unveiled its state-of-the-art, 8,000-seat Stadium 2, featuring three fine dining restaurants including Nobu, additional practice courts and a new shade structure. The BNP Paribas Open welcomed a record 431,527 fans through the gates over the fortnight, making it the highest-attended event on the ATP World Tour.

Photo by Brett Connors photography via Instagram.

“We are very honoured to be recognised as the 2014 Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year,” said Tournament Director Steve Simon. “The award reflects the foundation of our commitment in providing the best experience for everyone involved – fans, partners, media, volunteers and athletes. It is rewarding when the players formally recognise and appreciate the environment we have created for them to compete at the highest level.”

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, a three-time champion in Indian Wells, will return to defend his title when the season’s first Masters 1000 tournament begins on 12 March. “I always have a fun time,” he said. “There are a lot of golf courses around and it’s very peaceful with great restaurants and great facilities, a lot of people come to watch, enjoy and support you playing tennis and the conditions are good.”

Photo by Brett Connors photography via Instagram.

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, which this week welcomes Djokovic, six-time champion Roger Federer and Andy Murray, collects the ATP World Tour 500 award for a seventh straight year and 11th time overall (2003-06, 2008-14).

Andy Murray of Britain returns the ball to Gilles Muller of Luxembourg during their first round match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis ATP Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 24 February 2015. EPA/ALI HAIDER

“We are honoured to receive the award for Best Tournament in the ATP 500 category for the 11th time,” said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of Dubai Duty Free. “Every year we endeavour to ensure that the players have a fantastic experience when they come to Dubai, and that they all enjoy a very relaxed and friendly environment. Having our tournament hotel on site, the five-star Jumeirah Creekside, has enhanced their experience here, and has been very well received by the players.

“Our thanks to the ATP and the players for once again recognising the efforts that we have made to ensure that the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships is top of their list year after year.”

Federer, the defending champion, said: “Everything you see and feel and touch is just incredible and it’s different to any other place in the world. It is quite special I must admit. There is life to this tournament, there is a soul and I think the players appreciate that.”

The Aegon Championships repeats in the ATP World Tour 250 category after collecting the award for the first time last year. The tournament, along with the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, has been re-categorised as an ATP World Tour 500 event in the 2015 calendar and will be part of a longer three-week grass-court swing between Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

“It’s a thrill to receive this award for a second successive year as it recognises the wonderful work our tournament team, The Queen’s Club, our sponsors – particularly Aegon – and our broadcast partners put in to make the event the best it can be,” said Tournament Director Stephen Farrow. “This is an exciting year for the Aegon Championships as we are now an ATP-500 event for the first time. We will be doing everything within our power to create an even better experience for the players, sponsors, media and spectators.”

Grigor Dimitrov, who won his first grass-court title at the Queen’s Club last year, said: “Every time I come onto that grass at Queen’s it’s always a special feeling. It’s been six times already. It’s a great atmosphere and I’m always happy to come onto those courts.”

(Courtesy of the ATP and Original Link: http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2015/Moet-ATP-Awards/2014-ATP-Awards-Tournaments.aspx?utm_source=ATPMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ATP%20World%20Tour%20Insider%20#8%20-%20February%2026%202015%20%281%29 )

Topics: 2014 ATP World Tour Awards, AEGON Championships, Atp, BNP Paribas Open, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Indian Wells, Tennis, Tournament of the Year

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10sBalls_com says:

February 26, 2015 at 12:14 pm

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