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Stanford ATP ‘Doubles Rules’ Launched in London

London, England – On Monday 25th June, the first day of Wimbledon, the ATP and Stanford Financial Group brought world-class doubles tennis to the city.

While the queues were forming down at SW19, special doubles mini exhibition matches were held in the financial heart of London at Broadgate Arena. Current leaders of the Stanford ATP Doubles Race, Bob & Mike Bryan, were joined by Paul Hanley and Kevin Ullyett for the lunch time session. Recent French Open & Artois Championships winners Mark Knowles & Daniel Nestor then took on Great Britain’s Jamie Murray and his partner Eric Butorac in the early evening.

In addition to watching live matches on the mini exhibition court and having a hit with the professionals, people coming down to Broadgate were able to catch all the coverage from the first day of Wimbledon on a large 5mx4m screen in the arena.

The event was designed to promote ATP Doubles and marked the official launch of the new ‘Doubles Rules’ marketing campaign. The new campaign celebrates the unique attributes of the doubles game and focuses on driving fans to doubles courts at events.

“The court was nice and fast to get us ready for the grass. I felt like Ivo Karlovic on the small net, just bombing serves! It’s awesome to be launching this new campaign. We’re happy to be down here and I think a lot of people came out on their lunch break and got to see what doubles is all about,” said Bob Bryan.

“I think this event is great. It’s in a perfect spot where people can watch some tennis and get to know some of the players and feel what doubles is all about. This is a great campaign. The revolution campaign last year was great but this is even better,” said Mike Bryan.

“The fast and furious nature of the doubles game provides spectacular entertainment for fans worldwide. Stanford’s ongoing partnership with ATP Doubles is invaluable and there is no better place for the launch of the new ‘Doubles Rules’ campaign than in the financial heart of London at Broadgate Arena,” said Phil Anderton, CMO of the ATP.

In 2006, ATP Doubles embraced exciting new changes, including an innovative new scoring format featuring a Match Tie-break (first to 10 points, win by two) in place of a decisive third set, and no-ad games (sudden death at Deuce). The new format, with its shortened length and unique scoring features enables more doubles matches to be played on show courts during tournaments and has attracted more singles players to the tandem game.

For photos of the event, please go to www.gettyimages.com.

Posted on June 26, 2007
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