ATP, HEAD/Penn Extend Global Partnership
Equipment leader to sponsor ATP Masters Series, Tennis Masters Cup through 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Alison S. Kim
akim@atptennis.com
11/21/06 - London, United Kingdom – The ATP, the governing body of the men’s professional tennis circuit, today announced a three-year extension of their partnership with sports equipment leader HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports. The renewal will see HEAD/Penn remain the official ball of the ATP Masters Series and Tennis Masters Cup through 2009.
HEAD/Penn has served as the official ball of the ATP since 1993 and of the ATP Masters Series since 2001. Earlier this year, the ATP and Penn/HEAD Racquet Sports extended their partnership with HEAD becoming the official tennis racquet and tennis bag of the ATP.
"It is always reassuring to know that in times of change some things remain constant – our partnership with HEAD/Penn certainly fits that category," said Etienne de Villiers, ATP Executive Chairman and President. "HEAD/Penn not only provides great benefits for players and tournaments, they work with the ATP to improve the player and fan experience with initiatives like the Penn $1 Million Challenge held on ATPtennis.com last August. In the coming years, as we continue to grow the ATP and tennis, we will be looking to progressive partners such as HEAD/Penn to further promote and support the game, players and tournaments."
The Tennis Masters Cup officially launched the new HEAD ball last week in China, the site of the prestigious men’s tennis circuit finale. Following its successful debut in Europe during the summer, the HEAD ball also is being introduced throughout the rest of Asia to coincide with the Tennis Masters Cup. Penn will remain the company’s premier ball brand in North and South America.
“HEAD/Penn is proud to be an ATP and Tennis Masters Cup sponsor,” said Robert Marte, Division Manager, HEAD Racquet Sports. “We have a long history with the professional tournament circuit and are proud that the world’s best players play with our equipment during their most competitive moments on the court.”
HEAD/Penn tennis balls are the most popular tennis balls on the ATP tour, according to a player survey conducted earlier this year, HEAD/Penn is the #1 preferred tennis ball brand of professional players. HEAD/Penn products also are the most widely used tennis balls in men’s professional tennis. Of all ATP tournaments in Europe and North America, 53 percent and 40 percent respectively were played with HEAD/Penn balls. Globally, 43 percent of all tournaments selected HEAD/Penn as the official ball, among them all nine tournaments of the ATP Masters Series as well as the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai.
HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports are among a prestigious group of ATP partners led by Premium Partner Mercedes-Benz (which last year extended their award-winning partnership through 2008), new ATP partner South African Airways, Stanford Financial Group, Indesit, Ricoh, Lotto, AOL, Gerflor, Tennis Warehouse, Waterford Crystal, Club Med, Luxilon and Li-Ning Sports Goods Company.
About ATP
With 64 tournaments in 30 countries in 2006, the ATP showcases the finest athletes competing in the world’s most exciting venues. From Australia to Europe and the Americas to Asia, the stars of the INDESIT ATP Race and the Stanford ATP Doubles Race contend for prestigious titles and Race points as they seek to secure a coveted spot in the Tennis Masters Cup. For more information, please visit www.ATPtennis.com
About HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports
Head NV is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of premium sports equipment. Head NV’s ordinary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“HED”) and the Vienna Stock Exchange (“HEAD”). The company’s business is organized into four divisions: Winter Sports, Racquet Sports, Diving and Licensing. Products are sold under the Head (tennis, tennis balls, squash, racquetball and badminton equipment, alpine skis and ski boots, snowboards, bindings and boots), Penn (tennis and racquetball balls), Tyrolia (ski bindings), and Mares/Dacor (diving equipment) brands. The company holds leading positions in all product markets and the equipment is endorsed by some of the world’s top athletes including Andre Agassi, Marat Safin, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Bode Miller, Johann Grugger and Maria Riesch.
Media Contacts:
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
HEAD Sport: Mag. Robert Summer, r.summer@head.com, +43 (0)5574/608-358
