The 2007 China Tennis Open Holds Official Press Conference

The 2007 China Tennis Open Holds Official Press Conference

BEIJING, April 18 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The press conference of the 2007 China Tennis Open was held at the Shangri-la Hotel on April 18, 2007. The sponsor discussed the competition organization and player invitations. The China Open is already honored to have confirmed the attendance of four world famous players, namely Antonio Jose Gonzalez Santos, Martina Hingis, Justine Henin-Hardenne and Ivan Ljubicic.

Four World Famous Players First on the List

Since 2004, Chinese tennis fans have enjoyed the opportunity to watch live competitions that have included world famous players like Rafael Nadal, Nikolay Davydenko, Marat Safin, Maria Sharapova, the Williams sisters and Lindsay Davenport. Every China Tennis Open has delivered more surprises than the last, with this one sure not to disappoint, as the four confirmed players have already got Chinese tennis fans excited.

For Martina Hingis, the princess of the WTA, it is the first time she will have come to the China Open. She has a strong legion of supporters, and just as many detractors, and despite some years out of the game due to injury, her effusive personality and physique make her a focal point amongst tennis fans and media alike.

Fernando Gonzalez is also attending his first China Open. During the final of the 2007 Australia Open, Gonzalez was honored to fight with Switzerland's Roger Federer. Even though he eventually lost the final, everyone appreciated his professionalism. It was a perfect opportunity for us to appreciate his excellent tennis skills. Gonzalez has won many honors for Chile, including in the Olympics and the World Championships.

Justine Henin-Hardenne, as one of the World's best backhanders on the WTA circuit, missed the last China Open, but still must be considered one of the favorites for this year's women's tournament.

Ticket Cooperation Sponsors, China Open Bookings Start

During the press conference the exclusive tickets sponsor of the 2007 China Open was also announced, China Ticket Online, via http://www.piao.com.cn/ , and the official ticket-sales hotlines: 400-810-3721, 010-64170058, 010-64170068. A signing ceremony announced that the ticket sales for this year's China Open would start on April 18, with members of the public able to buy tickets online or via one of the hotlines.

China Open Officials said the decision for ticket sponsor was made according to their brand, and technical capabilities. Choosing www.piao.com.cn to cooperate with was mainly a result of it being one of the leading Chinese ticket websites, and the leading Chinese sports ticketing outlet.

The general manager of China Ticket Online, Feng Yuhong said, ''It has already been a long period of cooperation between the China Open and China Ticket Online. Most customers of China ticket Online are white-collar workers, and they're mostly interested in the China Open.''

After the signing ceremony, the two parties showed-off ticket samples of the 2007 China Open, especially designed with a 2-dimensional bar code. Every registered customer has their information included in this code in order to prevent pirated tickets entering the market.

Search for China Open Theme Song Begins

In the past three years, the China Open has successfully had their logos and mascots designed via the public. This China Open will also hand the search for the theme song and singers over to the public, making this China Open even more popular and fashionable than ever before.

The search for the theme song and singers is sponsored by China Open Promotions Company Limited and ZHUSHU ENTERTAINMENT LTD, and is aimed at promoting China Open brands and in supporting its development. It will be the main promotion campaign before the China Open kicks-off in September.

The promotion slogan, ''Sing for the China Open with Unlimited Energy,'' is aimed at integrating sport, music and entertainment at the China Open. No matter whether you are tennis fan or a music fan, anyone can take part in helping to find the right song and singers for the China Open. In addition, the organizers will invite famous professional musicians to produce the theme song.

The search will be conducted from April 18 to May 20, 2007. Five songs will be chosen from professional artists, while another 5 will be chosen as provided by the public. An online vote will then take place, before a professional committee chooses the winner. Those that provide the best words and music could receive a RMB10,000 prize, while other selected winners can obtain different prizes, like ''2007 China Open'' VIP tickets. The committee includes famous Chinese musician, like Luo Dayou, Xiao Chong, Yao Qian, Fang Wenshan, and Sanbao.

For more information, please contact:

Amy Jiang
Tel: +86-10-5820-6667 x806
Fax: +86-10-5820-5031
Email: amy.jiang@chinaopen.com.cn

Source: China Open Promotions Limited

CONTACT: Amy Jiang, +86-10-5820-6667 x806, or fax, +86-10-5820-5031, or
amy.jiang@chinaopen.com.cn

Web Site:

http://www.piao.com.cn/

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