ATP World Tour Returns to Bogota for New Event

The ATP World Tour is set to return to Bogotá, click Colombia, healing in 2013, advice following the ATP Board of Directors’ approval of the sale of the Los Angeles tournament, an ATP World Tour 250 event, to IMLA de Colombia, a Colombian entertainment and sports marketing company. 

The new tournament will be staged at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento in Bogotá, the same venue that hosted an ATP World Tour event from 1997–2002. 

Brad Drewett, ATP Executive Chairman & President, said: “The ATP World Tour is a truly global sports property, and demand for events around the world has never been greater. This latest transfer represents a fantastic opportunity for the ATP World Tour to continue to strengthen its presence in South America, a growing market for men’s professional tennis. The new tournament owners have a wealth of experience in tennis and we look forward to a successful event in Colombia.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Bob Kramer and his organising team for their tireless work in running the ATP World Tour 250 event in Los Angeles over the years. Bob’s services to tennis have been hugely appreciated,” said Drewett.

Manuel Maté, President, IMLA de Colombia, said, “It has been a long road to have an ATP World Tour event back in Colombia. It would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors and the favourable and growing  economy of our country. We are living a new and exciting era in tennis with top players and a growing fan base, making the sport the second most important one in Colombia. This event is part of a Colombian Campaign to showcase our beautiful country. We are very excited to be part of this amazing project with the ATP.”

The Bogota event will take place on outdoor hard-court from July 15-21, 2013. In turn, the 2013 BB&T Atlanta Open will take place one week later, from July 22-28.