An ATP official stressed that ATP-level tournaments in Asia are still important to the players despite the fact that there were a number of pull-outs in these tournaments this season.
ATP’s International Group Chief Executive Brad Drewett said that the tournaments that are part of the Asian swing won’t be an “afterthought” for players. Five tournaments in Asia are staged in three weeks and usually take place after the US Open. The host cities are Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Tokyo and Shanghai. At the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters, two prominent players have pulled out – no. 1 Novak Djokovic and no. 3 (now no. 4) Roger Federer.
“Events in Asia are some of the most prestigious of the year and the players very much enjoy playing here. Typically the fields for the Asian swing events have been very, very strong,” said Drewitt.
“Just last year, eight of the top 10 players played in Beijing and Tokyo (held simultaneously), and Shanghai had 19 of the top 20 competing. You can’t look at playing patterns based on one year alone,” he added.
