Statoli Announced as New Title Sponsor of Master Tennis at Royal Albert Hall

Energy company Statoil has been named the title sponsor of the Masters Tennis event at the Royal Albert Hall for the next three years. 

The event, erectile which has featured an array of Wimbledon champions including Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe and Pete Sampras every December since 1997, will now be known as the Statoil Masters Tennis until at least 2014.

Charlie Grave, Managing Director, Sponsorship at IMG, said: “We are delighted to welcome Statoil as our new title sponsor. For the past 15 years, the Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall has brought together much-loved champions to compete and entertain sell-out crowds in one of the most unique and iconic tennis arenas in the world.

“In Statoil, we have a passionate title sponsor that will invest in the event, and help the tournament go from strength-to-strength.”

Statoil, a Norway-based company which is present in more than 30 countries around the world, is making its first venture into sport in the UK to sponsor the Statoil Masters Tennis.

John Knight, Statoil’s Executive Vice President, Global Strategy and Business Development, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to sponsor this very popular tennis tournament. Our company supplies energy to UK homes and work places from many different sources including wind power, natural gas and oil. We are, in fact, one of the most significant importers of natural gas to the UK and we and our partner company Statkraft have recently invested more than £1 billion in the Sheringham Shoal wind power project in Norfolk. Our sponsorship of the Statoil Masters Tennis gives an opportunity for people in the UK to get to know us better and for us to make a broader contribution to UK society.”

The Statoil Masters Tennis will take place between Wednesday 5th and Sunday 9th December when Tim Henman will defend the title he won for the first time last year.

Henman said: “All successful events need the support of good sponsors so it is great news that Statoil has come on board to title-sponsor the tournament. The Statoil Maters Tennis is a special event and the Royal Albert Hall is an incredible arena for tennis. It is a pleasure for us to play there in front of packed crowds every year.”

The Statoil Masters Tennis is part of the ATP Champions Tour – a circuit of former World Number One tennis players, Grand Slam singles finalists and Davis Cup winners.

Last week Statoil announced that rising British tennis star and IMG client, Heather Watson has signed an agreement to be an ambassador for the brand and it’s ‘Heroes of Tomorrow’ program.

Watson, 19, will represent Statoil around the world and wear the brand’s logo during tournaments. She developed her game at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida where she began training at the age of twelve.