The 2009 champion Pat Rafter will return, as will the 1997 US Open runner-up Greg Rusedski, along with Goran Ivanisevic, Mark Philippoussis and defending champion Fabrice Santoro. They will face Henman in a six-man round-robin tournament, with an older Legends event running alongside. In the six-man Legends event, seven-time Grand Slam Champion Mats Wilander and Henri Leconte are confirmed.

In doubles action at the Statoil Masters Tennis – an IMG owned and operated event – the ever-popular Mansour Bahrami and the 2007 Wimbledon Mixed Doubles champion, Jamie Murray have signed up to play.

Henman is already looking forward to returning to the famous Royal Albert Hall, and mixing it with some of the most well-known and popular tennis players in the world.

“There’s nowhere in the world quite like the Royal Albert Hall to play tennis, it’s a wonderful venue with a great atmosphere because we get fantastic crowds every year. I can’t wait to play there again,” said Henman.

Rafter won two US Open titles, in 1997 and 1998, but is almost best known for his incredible final against Goran Ivanisevic in the 2001 Wimbledon final. Ivanisevic won a stunning, emotional clash in five sets.

Ivanisevic has not stopped smiling since that 2001 final victory, and was also in a fabulous mood after winning the title at the Royal Albert Hall for the first time in 2010.

Philippoussis reached two Grand Slam finals in his career. He was the runner-up to Rafter in the 1998 US Open, and went down to Roger Federer in the 2003 Wimbledon final.

Rusedski was the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1997, a year when he narrowly succumbed to Rafter in the final in New York. The British player was also runner-up in the Royal Albert Hall final in 2008.

For Santoro, it will be a special occasion to return to the Statoil Masters Tennis tournament as the defending champion. Nicknamed ‘The Magician’, he overcame Tim Henman in the final last year.

Tickets to the Statoil Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall are now available, with prices from £12.50 per person – click here. Alternatively, the Box Office telephone number is +44 (0)20 7070 4404.

About IMG
IMG Worldwide is a global sports, fashion and media business, with 3,500 employees operating in more than 30 countries around the globe. IMG’s areas of expertise are diverse and wide ranging: IMG College; IMG’s Joint Ventures in India, Brazil, China and Turkey; IMG Media; IMG Events and Federations; IMG Golf and IMG Tennis; IMG Fashion; IMG Models; IMG Art+Commerce; IMG Clients; IMG Academy; IMG Consulting and IMG Licensing. More information is available at www.imgworld.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

About Statoil (UK) Ltd
Statoil is an international energy company with operations in 36 countries. Building on 40 years of experience from oil and gas production on the Norwegian continental shelf, Statoil is committed to accommodating the world’s energy needs in a responsible manner, applying technology and creating innovative business solutions. Statoil is headquartered in Norway with 21,000 employees worldwide, and is listed on the New York and Oslo stock exchanges. More information on www.statoil.com

Henman, who won the Statoil Masters title in 2011, believes Murray is doing the right thing in not risking the back injury that forced the World No.2 to retired from his match with Marcel Granollers in Rome last week.

“I think it’s a very good decision,” said Henman. “If you’re going into the French Open and looking to win the tournament, you have to be fully fit for best-of-5 set matches on clay. In terms of the physical toll that it takes on your body, it’s as great as any. There’s no point in Andy going in there and trying to win a round or two. If he was going to enter, he needed to be thinking he could win the tournament. If he’s not fit enough, it’s better to make the sensible decision and save himself for the grass court season.”

Henman admits he took couple of risks that he later regretted in his career, including playing a Davis Cup tie against Thailand in 2002. He was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open following shoulder surgery shortly afterwards. Henman thinks that ultimately it could give Murray a chance to profit at Wimbledon.

“It’s a mature, professional decision and it could potentially help him on the grass,” said Henman. “You don’t want to be missing events like these – the French Open is a huge event – and Andy will be bitterly disappointed, but if he can come back fresh and recharged, it may help him. As things stand, I think Rafa is very much the favourite for the French Open. He’s still the king of clay, and what he has done is incredible since he returned from injury. At Wimbledon, I could very easily make a case for all of the Top 4 players in the world, particularly if Andy can arrive fully fit.”

For his own part, Henman is already looking forward to returning to the famous Royal Albert Hall, and mixing it with some of the most well-known and popular tennis players in the world.

“There’s nowhere in the world quite like the Royal Albert Hall to play tennis, it’s a wonderful venue with a great atmosphere because we get fantastic crowds every year. I can’t wait to play there again,” said Henman.

Tickets to the Statoil Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall are now available, with prices from £12.50 per person – http://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/statoil-masters-tennis/default.aspx. Alternatively, the Box Office telephone number is +44 (0)20 7070 4404. For more information about the tournament, please go to http://www.statoilmasterstennis.com

About IMG

IMG Worldwide is a global sports, fashion and media business, with 3,500 employees operating in more than 30 countries around the globe. IMG’s areas of expertise are diverse and wide ranging:  IMG College; IMG’s Joint Ventures in India, Brazil, China and Turkey; IMG Media; IMG Events and Federations; IMG Golf and IMG Tennis; IMG Fashion; IMG Models; IMG Art+Commerce; IMG Clients; IMG Academy; IMG Consulting and IMG Licensing.  More information is available at www.imgworld.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

About Statoil (UK) Ltd

Statoil is an international energy company with operations in 36 countries. Building on 40 years of experience from oil and gas production on the Norwegian continental shelf, Statoil is committed to accommodating the world’s energy needs in a responsible manner, applying technology and creating innovative business solutions. Statoil is headquartered in Norway with 21,000 employees worldwide, and is listed on the New York and Oslo stock exchanges. More information on www.statoil.com

The 5 star Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Grosvenor House Apartments based in Knightsbridge will provide accommodation for the star-studded list of tennis players that will come to town for the Statoil Masters Tennis for the next three years, until 2015.

Managing Director of Sponsorship, IMG Tennis, Charlie Grave, said: ‘Jumeirah is one of the most outstanding luxury hotel chains in the world, and we are privileged to have them on board as partners for this year’s Statoil Masters Tennis. I’m sure the players will thoroughly enjoy their stays at the Carlton Towers, one of the best hotels in the capital.’

Derek Picot, Vice President of Europe for Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts was equally delighted.

‘We are extremely proud to announce our partnership with IMG and the Statoil Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert,’ he said. ‘Like our three London properties, this prestigious event is synonymous with London and we are delighted to be the accommodation provider of choice for these tennis legends.’

In 2012, John McEnroe, Tim Henman, Goran Ivanisevic and Pat Cash thrilled the Royal Albert Hall crowds, with McEnroe winning the older Legends tournament, and Fabrice Santoro beating Tim Henman in the younger Champions tournament. The field in 2013 will be as strong as ever, with names revealed in the coming months.

Tickets to the Statoil Masters Tennis in the Royal Albert Hall are now available, with prices from £12.50 per person - http://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/statoil-masters-tennis/default.aspx. Alternatively, the Box Office telephone number is +44 (0)20 7070 4404.

For more information about the tournament, please go to http://www.statoilmasterstennis.com

This year we are delighted to be celebrating the 20^th anniversary of the BNP Paribas Tennis Classic at The Hurlingham Club, another IMG event.

On Thursday 20^th June, for one night only, this unique lifestyle and tennis event will host a fun-filled evening celebrating this special anniversary as well as 20 years of Statoil Masters Tennis favourite, Mansour Bahrami’s, participation at the event. Bahrami, who has played every year since the event’s inception in 1994, is best known for his on-court tricks and his entertaining style of tennis. He said:

“It is my pleasure to have played for the last 20 years at The Hurlingham Club. The BNP Paribas Tennis Classic is one of my favourite events of the year. The court is so intimate that you can hear everything from the crowd. I love to make them laugh. When the audience laughs, I am the happiest man in the whole world.”

Starting with an afternoon of world-class tennis, guests will be treated to a champagne reception followed by an exquisite three-course gourmet dinner with Mansour Bahrami and tennis Legends of the game in attendance, such as Statoil Masters Tennis players Pat Cash, Henri Leconte, Andrew Castle and Fabrice Santoro. Guests will enjoy a private Q&A hosted by Mansour plus special evening entertainment.

To book your place at this special evening please call 020 8233 5854 or email BNPParibasClassic@imgworld.com.

The fastest growing brand in tennis has released the MANTIS All Court, Team Pressureless and Stage One Mini Green balls into the market and will be stocking all three from June 2013.

The ITF approved pressurised MANTIS All Court ball is suitable for all surfaces and has been tested by MANTIS professionals across the World.  The premium woven cloth ball is available in a four ball can immediately with the three ball can hitting the market in the autumn of 2013.

The MANTIS Team is a pressureless ball ideal for coaching, training and match play.  With a high quality woven cloth for increased durability the MANTIS Team ball also has a superb inner core for enhanced consistency.

Ideal for developing adults and juniors in match play or training the ITF approved Stage One MANTIS Mini Green ball is also new to the market. The all yellow ball (with a green dot for identification) has a reduced pressure allowing players more time to move into position and hit the ball and can be used in official Under 10 events.

Martin Aldridge, founder of and Managing Director of MANTIS, commented; “We have had a tremendous amount of success in the market with our existing ball range and feel the new products complement them perfectly.

“Working closely with our professional staff across the World we have developed these high quality balls at affordable prices which fit perfectly with the MANTIS brand.”

MANTIS recently announced that former British number 1 and US Open finalist, Greg Rusedski, as brand ambassador for their tennis range and MANTIS is the official Racket and Ball Partner of the Statoil

Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall.

For more information about MANTIS go to www.mantis-sport.com

Become a MANTIS fan on Facebook go to www.facebook.com/mantissports

Follow MANTIS on twitter @MANTISsport

Last year’s Legends Final saw an epic match between John McEnroe and Mats Wilander, ending in McEnroe raising the trophy at the Royal Albert Hall. The ATP Champions Tour Final was equally intense with Tim Henman going head-to-head against Fabrice Santoro, with the Frenchman defeating Henman with a 4-6 6-2 (10-6) victory.

This year the Statoil Masters Tennis promises to be an unmissable event, with legendary tennis and outstanding entertainment. Book your tickets now to make sure you are there at one of the most popular events of the year.

Call the box office on 020 7070 4404 or book online today  at http://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/tennis/default.aspx

The MANTIS Pro 295 became the 3rd MANTIS tennis racket to win an award from the magazine, winning the award for Best Value for Money.

The magazine review stated; “With a relatively cheap price tag of £130 (compared to the other frames on test) you might not expect such a good result but if you get the chance to try this you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Nicely balanced, powerful enough and with an excellent feel.”

For more information about MANTIS go to www.mantis-sport.com

Become a MANTIS fan on Facebook go to www.facebook.com/mantissports

Follow MANTIS on twitter @MANTISsport

The Tour replacement grip and the Performa Dry over- grip have been added to the range which already includes the Performa Perforated and the Performa Tac over- grips.

The MANTIS Tour is a high quality PU replacement grip developed to provide the highest level of comfort and feel for the professionals’ right through to the club player; whilst the Performa Dry Grip is ideal for use in more humid conditions for the player who requires a high quality absorbent over grip.

Martin Aldridge, founder and managing director of MANTIS, said; “The new grips are a superb addition to our range and we have been delighted with the response thus far. We are also looking at adding more grips into the range in the next few months to help compliment the current MANTIS offerings and that offer the racket sports player exceptionally good quality product for their sports needs, at affordable prices.

“The Tour Replacement grip is currently used on most of the MANTIS racket range and the quality and absorbency of the Performa Dry overgrip has been tested in some of the most difficult playing conditions in the world.”

MANTIS is also the official racket to the Allam British Open squash event in Hull in May from the 20th-26th 2013.

MANTIS recently announced that former British number 1 and US Open finalist, Greg Rusedski, as brand ambassador for their tennis range and MANTIS is the Official Racket and Ball Partner of the Statoil Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall.

For more information about MANTIS go to www.mantis-sport.com

Become a MANTIS fan on Facebook go to www.facebook.com/mantissports

Follow MANTIS on twitter @MANTISsport
Ends

For more details contact:
Ben Thompson – Media and Communications Director – Macesport
ben.thompson@macesport.co.uk or 07932005305
Products
MANTIS Tour replacement grip is available in a single blister pack and available in White
MANTIS Performa Dry grip is available in a 3 card pack and available in white only.

Both competitors were great throughout the tournament. After a mild start in the final, Djokovic came out on top with a score of 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 6-2 as Murray struggled to cope with blistered feet and an increasingly determined opponent.

“It’s an incredible feeling winning this trophy again,” said the champion. “It’s definitely my favourite Grand Slam, my most successful Grand Slam. I love this court.”

The physicality of the contest appeared to be taking its toll when Murray then required treatment for blisters at the changeover, and he began to grimace between points. It took two hours and 52 minutes of absorbing but rarely thrilling tennis for the first break of serve to arrive, and it went to Djokovic. Djokovic wrapped up the match on serve when Murray netted a backhand and did a jig of delight on court before heading over to celebrate with his support team.

With six Grand Slam victories, he matches the likes of Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg, Don Budge and Jack Crawford in the all-time list – and there could be plenty more to come.

On Saturday, Victoria Azarenka retained her Australian Open title and kept hold of the world number one spot with victory over Li Na. The Belarusian, came back from a set down to win 4-6 6-4 6-3.

Back in December 2012, Djokovic appeared at the Winter Whites Gala at the Royal Albert Hall during the Statoil Masters Tennis, and received a prize from HRH The Duke of Cambridge for his work with the Novak Djokovic Foundation.

For more information on the event and post match coverage, visit the official event website.

What an eventful run-up it has been already! Defending Champion, Novak Djokovic, lost in straight sets to Australia’s Bernard Tomic on Wednesday at the Hopman Cup in Perth. Djokovic, who earlier appeared at London’s Royal Albert Hall in December for the Winter Whites Gala to be awarded with the Inspiration to Youth Award, will be looking to retain his title for a third year at this year’s tournament.

2012 Australian Open runner-up Rafael Nadal has confirmed he will not be playing in the Melbourne Grand Slam tournament this year. Unfortunately, Defending female Champion, Victoria Azarenka has also announced she would be unable to compete after undergoing a minor toe procedure.

Venus Williams believes she is on track to perform well at this month’s Australian Open after remaining unbeaten in singles at the Hopman Cup. Heather Watson, although suffering with an elbow injury, is doing everything possible to get healthy for the upcoming Open.

The main draw will be released on Friday 11 January 2013.
The event will close with the men’s singles final on 27 January.

For the latest news and information – click here.