China cushions tennis from global turndown

A top ATP tennis official who admits the men's World Pro Tour is experiencing "a tough time" amid the current economic crisis is grateful China has become a source for further marketing and sporting success.

"My expectation (on two tournaments in China) is very high," Brad Drewett, CEO of ATP's international group, said at the launch of its official Chinese website on Tuesday in Beijing.

China's two big metropolises, Beijing and Shanghai, will host the ATP 500, a top-notch tournament with a $2 million prize purse, and the ATP 1000, an event only subordinate to the Grand Slams, within two weeks of each other in October. This makes China just one of three countries to host both an ATP 500 and ATP 1000, along with the US and Spain.