ATP, South African Airways Enter Global Partnership

Newest Star Alliance carrier named ‘Official Airline of the ATP’ into at least 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Alison S. Kim
akim@atptennis.com

04/10/06 - Monte Carlo – The ATP, governing body of the men’s professional tennis circuit, today announced a three-year partnership with South African Airways that will see the leading carrier of the African continent become the ‘Official Airline of the ATP.’ The multimillion-dollar global partnership coincides with South African Airways formally joining the Star Alliance today.
“This is the perfect alliance between two organizations as South African Airways expands into the global marketplace by joining the Star Alliance while the ATP helps to establish professional tennis as the premier global sports network,” said ATP Executive Chairman and President Etienne de Villiers. “SAA shares our vision of promoting and marketing the game, players and tournaments in a new fashion, and we’re delighted that they see real value in our plan to build professional tennis in the years ahead. We are happy to showcase South African Airways and their partners to the world as they help us do the same for the ATP and its stars.”
South African Airways CEO Khaya Ngqula said, “Our official airline partnership with the ATP is an exciting opportunity, and we intend to maximize the benefits for both the airline and for the players and officials of the ATP, as well as for the worldwide fan-base.
"SAA, along with its Star Alliance partners is operating in a global environment and we are delighted to be able to showcase SAA, South Africa's national carrier, to a whole new market of potential visitors."
The partnership, which begins immediately and extends into at least 2009, provides benefits for players, officials and ATP staff who travel to the ATP’s 64 tournaments in 31 countries. Founded in 1934 as one of the world’s first national airlines, South African Airways now serves 34 cities in 26 countries, carrying more than
7 million passengers a year. SAA has been heralded by airline rankings experts as one of the top ten international airlines in terms of service standards and product offering. Through Star Alliance, South African Airways now will provide additional flexibility in air travel through 17 airlines flying to 153 countries and approximately 8,000 destinations.
Under the agreement, South African Airways will activate marketing initiatives with the ATP on a number of fronts, including special events, advertising, tournament promotions, television, publications and advanced media. “We’re thrilled to have a partner that is creative, innovative and eager to showcase our game, tournaments and players,” said ATP Chief Marketing Officer Phil Anderton.
“We couldn’t be happier that international tennis is partnering with our national airline,” said South Africa Tennis CEO Ian Smith, who was instrumental in bringing the parties together. “We look forward to continuing discussions with the ATP to further develop tennis in South Africa.”
South African Airways joins HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports, Li-Ning Sports Goods Company and Stanford Financial Group in securing new agreements with the ATP this year. They join a prestigious group of ATP partners led by Premium Partner Mercedes-Benz (which last year extended their award-winning partnership through 2008), Indesit, Ricoh, Lotto, AOL, Gerflor, Tennis Warehouse, Waterford Crystal, Club Med and Luxilon.
Media Contacts:
ATP VP, Media Relations: Graeme Agars, gagars@atptennis.com, +1-904-285-8000
ATP Europe: Nicola Arzani, narzani@atptennis.com, +377-9797-0404
ATP International Group: Stephen Duckitt, sduckitt@atptennis.com, +61-2-9250-2300
ATP Americas: Pete Holtermann, pholtermann@atptennis.com, +1-904-285-8000
ATP Mundo Latino: Benito Perez-Barbadillo, bpbarbadillo@atptennis.com, +377-9797-0404

Company Website
www.atptennis.com
Company Profile
Tenniswire.org/companies/atp_tennis/index.html