Thailand Open folds, sold to Shenzhen

Thailand Open folds, sold to Shenzhen

Falling spectator numbers and a general decline in local tennis interest since the 2007 retirement of Paradorn Srichaphan has killed the Thailand Open, with the ATP 250 event sold to organisers in Shenzhen, China, officials confirmed on Thursday.

The move to the metropolis just across the border from Hong Kong comes after 11 editions in Bangkok and takes effect immediately for the event to be staged in the last week of September 2014.

The Thailand Open had been steadily declining over recent editions, with organisers finding it increasingly difficult to attract world-class players.

Back in the day when the decade-old event came to the Thai capital amid a flurry of tennis excitement, the likes of Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic all won the title. Rafael Nadal reached the 2010 semi-finals.

"It is with mixed emotions that we say farewell to the Thailand Open," organiser Brian Marcar said.

"We have been privileged to have seen this generation's greatest players competing here in Bangkok - Federer, Nadal, 

Djokovic and Murray - these guys are the very best of the best and have all played at the Thailand Open.

"I would like to express our most sincere appreciation for everyone who has supported the event over the past 11 years, from the tournament's loyal sponsors to the ATP, the players and the tennis fans. We are looking at other opportunities to stage invitational tennis events featuring the world's top tennis players here in Thailand.''

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