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Miami, FL (PRWEB) August 9, 2007

The Sony Ericsson Open, recognized since 1985 for its excellence and innovativeness, has signed a four-year contract extension with TennisPlaza.com to carry on as the official tennis racquet retailer at the Tournament. TennisPlaza.com has been part of the Tournament for the last six years, beginning with a modest 200 square foot on-site tent (offering Babolat and Prince products), now expanded to a 2,600 square foot store on Tournament grounds, representing Babolat, Prince, Head, Wilson, Dunlop, Volkl, Fischer, Tecnifibre, Yonex, Luxilon, Kirschbaum and Gamma products.

In 1999, the Tournament was purchased by IMG and in August 2006, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications announced the signing of a four-year, contract with IMG to become the tournament’s title sponsor. With $ 7.54 million in prize money, the Sony Ericsson Open is the largest tournament in the world with title sponsorship. Each Spring, since 1987, the Tennis Center at Crandon Park, a beautiful 30-acre complex in Miami, is transformed from a public tennis facility into a full-fledged festival for the Open. The Open’s excitement, and unique format, has led to it being awarded “Tournament of the Year” by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for eight out of the last nine years, and for the last five years straight. Participating in and winning the Tournament is considered one of the most coveted distinctions in professional tennis.

A Good Match: Leon Echavarria, CEO of Racquet World, Inc., the parent company of TennisPlaza.com, comments: “We are excited to continue our relationship with the Sony Ericsson Open as their official tennis racquet partner, as we again demonstrate our shared commitment to bring all of the best to the world of tennis. We are constantly improving TennisPlaza.com to make sure it remains the most convenient, one-stop tennis equipment destination on the web. We cater to customers who are seeking the best products for their game at the best prices. Free shipping, free stringing, an unsurpassed price guarantee, and a comprehensive selection are some of the ways we keep TennisPlaza.com ultra-competitive and in the game.”

A Winning Proposition: Earl “Butch” Buchholz, Tournament Chairman, echoes the strong customer focus at TennisPlaza.com: “Every year, we bring the players who are at the top of their game to the Sony Ericsson Open, providing fans thrill after thrill. That’s our value proposition. TennisPlaza.com shares that spirit. In much the same way, they bring the highest caliber of tennis equipment to the web – the tennis racquets and tennis accessories that the best players in the sport use. TennisPlaza.com remains competitive in price, while offering the ultimate in service to tennis players everywhere at all levels, 24/7. That’s an unbeatable combination, and one we support.”

More About TennisPlaza.com: TennisPlaza.com is owned and operated by Racquet World, one of the largest, most reputable tennis stores in the country. In 2005, it was named as the #1 Tennis Retail Store in the United States by Racquet Sports Industry magazine. For 16 years, Racquet World has been based in Miami, Florida, “the gateway to the Americas,” building a reputation with tennis enthusiasts who demand the highest quality and level of service, both locally and abroad. Racquet World is known for its wide selection, competitive prices, knowledgeable personnel, and dedicated service. Likewise, on the web, TennisPlaza.com is known as the best link for on-court essentials.

More About The Sony Ericsson Open:

The Tournament offers $ 7.54 million in prize money ($ 3.77 million for men and $ 3.77 million for women). The men’s and women’s finals are broadcast live on CBS. In 2007, the Sony Ericsson Open received over 97 hours of live and taped television coverage in the United States. Worldwide, over 1,200 hours of coverage was broadcast in over 200 countries. The 2007 defending champions include Novak Djokovic (Men’s Singles), Serena Williams (Women’s Singles), Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan (men’s Doubles), and Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur (Women’s Doubles). In 2007, the Sony Ericsson Open drew 288,025 attendees, a new tournament record. The 2008 Sony Ericsson Open will be held March 26 – April 6 at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park. For more information about the Sony Ericsson Open, call Sam Henderson at 305-446-2200.

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