German Tennis Federation files suit over ATP plans - 德網 Tennis

March 30, 2007

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) -- The German Tennis Federation has filed a lawsuit
against the ATP in federal court to protest planned schedule changes by the
governing organization for men's tennis.

The German federation said Friday that months of negotiations between the two
sides had broken down over a plan by the ATP to reduce the clay-court Masters
tournaments -- leading up to June's French Open -- to Madrid and Rome, starting
in 2009.

That would bump the Hamburg Masters from its traditional spot on the calendar
and take away its status as a major clay-court warmup for the Roland Garros
grand slam.

The federation filed suit Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Wilmington,
saying a contract guarantees Hamburg's spot on the calendar.

"The structural changes planned by the ATP will clearly hurt Hamburg the most,"
federation president Georg von Waldenfels said. "As a result there would be
major economic disadvantages to us."

German media reported 60 players -- including Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal -
- signed a petition against the move.

Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic, head of the tennis player's union, said he
appreciated the German federation's position.

"They had a great event, a great tradition for over 100 years, and I know
that they feel bad," Ljubicic said. "But I also understand that the ATP is
trying to improve our sport, and Hamburg is unfortunately one of those
tournaments paying the price."

Ljubicic said players who prefer clay want Hamburg to remain a Masters Series
event.

The ATP stood by its plan.

"The ATP is confident in its position, and will continue to take steps to
improve and grow its men's professional tennis circuit for the benefit of
fans," the organization said in a statement.

Tommy Robredo of Spain won the Hamburg Masters in 2006.



Updated on Friday, Mar 30, 2007 9:40 pm EDT

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