The U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships at Houston has reported record attendance figures of 50,737 during the week of April 21-27. Meanwhile, major preparations also have begun for the Tennis Masters Cup, which will be held at the Westside Tennis Club from November 8-16.

During a week in which ATP Champions Race 2003 leader Andre Agassi became the World No. 1 and collected his second U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship, 4,936 people attended each session and all 10 sessions were sold out, which totaled 49,360 for the week. Grounds passes also proved to be a big hit with 1,377 being sold.

In order to accommodate the overwhelming attendance at the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships as well as the anticipated sell-out of the Tennis Masters Cup, construction began immediately following the Clay Court finals at Westside Tennis Club for a $7 million stadium that will replace the temporary clay court stadium.

‘Tickets for the Tennis Masters Cup are already 60 percent sold and the event doesn’t take place until November,’ said Kris Young, tournament director at Westside. ‘We’re thrilled that so many people want to come out for the event and we’re doing everything we can to prepare for the increased number of attendees.’

The Tennis Masters Cup is the annual season-ending finale of men’s professional tennis with the best eight singles players in the world qualifying to participate. The Tennis Masters Cup will return to the United States for the first time since 1989 when it is held in Houston, Texas in 2003 and 2004.

For more information contact:
Matt Rapp: VP Public Relations.
tel: +44 20 7352 3852,
e-mail: mrapp@atptennis.com