Tennis has become a very popular spectator sport over the years and the sponsors have played a big role in promoting the game. Pouring big money in it. With the levels of prize money going up the level of play has also gone up. The Grand Slams are of course the most important tennis tournaments but other ATP tournaments have been building up its reputation and prestige associated with it.
Here again it is the sponsors who can play a strategic role in pushing up the level of the tournament in order to attract the best players and as a result more viewers. For 2010 Rolex has become the title sponsor of the Shanghai masters – the only ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Asia. The tournament will play host to more than 100 of the world’s best players including Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
A Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT Master II timepiece will be presented to the champion at the end of the nine day tournament. Rolex has been associated with tennis in different capacities. Way back in 1978 Rolex became the “Official Time Keeper†of the Wimbledon Championships. But at Shanghai they are sponsoring the title itself. The Shanghai Rolex Masters will be held between October 9 and 17.
