December 12, 2012 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
The ATP World Tour is set to return to Bogotá, Colombia, in 2013, 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 held at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento in Bogotá, the same venue that hosted an ATP World Tour event from 1997–2002. The Bogota event will take place on outdoor hard-court from July 15-21, and the 2013 BB&T Atlanta Open will take place one week later, from July 22-28.
“The ATP World Tour is a truly global sports property, and demand for events around the world has never been greater," said Brad Drewett, ATP executive chairman and president. "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 organizing 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."
