Global sports and media company IMG has reportedly bought the AAMI Classic, a professional tennis exhibition singles-only tournament that takes place at the Kooyong Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. It is one of the warm-up events leading to the first Grand Slam event of the calendar season – the Australian Open.
Eight players are featured at this exhibition event, though this is not counted as part of the ATP World Tour list of tournaments. IMG purchased the tournament rights from Colin Stubs Enterprises. The latter spearheaded the event which launched in 1988 in partnership with KLTC (Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club). The terms of the deal were not disclosed although it is expected the KLTC and IMG will fairly share this undertaking.
IMG Tennis Senior Vice President and Global Head Fernando Soler said: “We are very pleased to now own this outstanding event with our partner KLTC. It further strengthens IMG’s role in tennis in this important and growing area of the world and continues IMG’s long and successful role in the history of Australian Tennis.”
“We could not ask for a better partner in this outstanding event than IMG. Their expertise and global reputation for staging some of the world’s greatest tennis events will surely take the AAMI Classic to new levels,” said KLTC President Ian Hill.
