KUALA LUMPUR: Celebrating its fourth year, the US$947,750 Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur ATP World Tour tournament, today announced that brilliant Spaniard David Ferrer, the World No. 5 and Asia’s incredibly popular leading player and World No. 18, Kei Nishikori of Japan, have confirmed their participation in the event, which takes place at Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil from September 22 - 30.
“With David being a French Open semi-finalist, Wimbledon and Australian Open quarter finalist this year and having already won 2012 titles in Auckland on hard court, Buenos Aires, Acapulco on clay and ’s-Hertogenbosch on grass, he will be the highest ranked player ever to play our tournament,” said Tournament Director Nick Freyer, of organisers IMG. David Ferrer is currently the 2012 match win leader on the Tour. He has won more matches than any other player, including Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal.”
“Kei, who launched his rise to the upper echelons of the rankings last year in KL, first played here as a wild card recipient ranked #170 in 2009. Having recovered from a stomach muscle injury that prevented him from playing at Roland Garros, he went on to reach the final 32 at Wimbledon. If his form continues, we hope that he will play the Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur 2012 as a newly minted top 10 player come September.”
The Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur is supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Malaysia who are founding sponsors of the tournament. The event Patron is YABhg. Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
“Now in its fourth year, the Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur has built a global reputation amongst players and fans as one of the most polished, enjoyable and hospitable ATP World Tour 250 tournaments anywhere,” said Y.B. Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen, Minister of Tourism, Malaysia. “Broadcast into millions of homes around the world and featuring “Malaysia Truly Asia Review” (Hawkeye line calling technology), the tournament is a must see week which sports fans, visitors and residents alike truly look forward to.”
“The Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Malaysia are proud to be associated with this event once again, as it continues to showcase our country through a multitude of media and new media platforms in Malaysia and internationally.”
As part of its 4th anniversary celebrations, the tournament is excited to announce four major new sponsors – Rado, Corona (an ATP World Tour Premier Partner), 100Plus and the DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur, which join long-term sponsors Wilson, CNN International and Astro, the official host broadcaster.
This year the Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur will join forces with the DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur on a “Baked with CARE” charity initiative where some of the ATP World Tour players will bake DoubleTree chocolate chip cookies. These will be presented for sale in autographed cookie tins with proceeds going to the Dignity For Children Foundation charity. More information is available through www.dignityforchildren.org. These cookies can be purchased at the tournament information booth, the VIP Hospitality suite and at the hotel itself.
“We are thrilled to be given the opportunity to play host for the first time to some of the world’s best male tennis players, and as we continue to extend our culture of CARE beyond the team and our guests, into the community in which we operate. Our dedicated team is here to provide the warmest, personalized service possible, so that all players can be geared up to put on a great show when they walk on court,” said Ian Barrow, General Manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur.
“We are delighted and appreciative that after three years of world-class performance, that the corporate community is beginning to step up and recognize the value that the tournament delivers,” said Tournament Director Nick Freyer of IMG.
“We are still very much indebted to the Event Patron and the Minister of Tourism and her team for making this tournament possible, and this year, I would also like to express deep thanks to Y. Bhg. Datuk Jamil bin Salleh, Deputy Secretary General (International and Administration), Ministry of Youth and Sports, Malaysia, and the team at Stadium Putra for accommodating us during their renovation year.”
Astro, the host broadcaster will televise all singles matches LIVE on Center Court from Thursday to Sunday. The Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur will be televised internationally in over 100 countries and will be viewed by an estimated global audience, including Malaysia, of 350 million viewers. It is one of the most televised ATP World Tour 250 events anywhere and is a powerful advertisement for Malaysia. Domestic and international broadcasts will include “Malaysia Truly Asia Review” Hawkeye technology and graphics branding.
The event is sanctioned by the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) which is also a founding supporter of the event. As per tradition, at least two qualifying wild cards will be provided to local players and there will be opportunity for one or two local players to participate in the main draw of the doubles. There will also be a tennis clinic, this year called the “100Plus Junior Tennis Clinic”, for aspiring elite players with some of the ATP World Tour stars.
“Now in its 4th year, The Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur has developed a reputation on the ATP World Tour as one of the most hospitable and best organised 250 tournaments around,” said The Rt Hon Tan Sri Datuk Abdul Razak Latiff, President, Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia.
“That, combined with the opportunities for our own players to compete amongst the world's best, along with the many fun and exciting marketing activities conducted each year, means the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia is once again proud to be an integral part of this tournament, as it continues to help grow this key fixture on the annual Malaysian sporting and social calendar.”
Tickets for the 2012 Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur will be available immediately through TicketCharge Ph: 603-92228811 and also via the tournament’s website http://www.malaysianopentennis.com/2012/tickets.php. The price of tickets remain incredibly competitive, RM10 to RM100, with tickets ranking amongst the least costly of any ATP World Tour tournament anywhere. Admission is free on the qualifying weekend and on main draw Monday, with reserved seating effective Tuesday to Sunday. Additionally, every day from Tuesday to Sunday, 500 ATP World Tour t-shirts will be given away to ticket holders, in addition to the popular catch the autographed ball promotions conducted after every centre court match, with hundreds of prizes to be won, including a spectacular Rado watch or two.
The vivid and fun official website is www.MalaysianOpenTennis.com which highlights all things to do with the tournament. The official Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/MalaysianOpen.KualaLumpur and the Twitter site can be found at http://twitter.com/#!/KLopentennis.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: : Local Media Director, Malaysia, Mr. Ghaz Ramli at 60-16 243 0848 or email : ghazoo21@gmail.com
