Thailand Open 2012: Exciting line up for 10th anniversary

The Thailand Open 2012 returns to Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani from 22 – 30 September with a host of the world’s top tennis stars already confirmed to play in Bangkok.

Leading the field, competing for $608,500 in prize money are: world #8 Janko Tipsarevic, 2009 champion Gilles Simon, crowd favourites Fernando Verdasco and Gael Monfils, Richard Gasquet, and the two hottest young stars in the game: Australia’s Bernard Tomic and Canadian sensation Milos Raonic ranked # 24. The rest of the field for Thailand’s premier annual sporting event will be announced in the lead up to the tournament.

The depth of talent already confirmed guarantees that the tournament will be the mostly hotly contested in this, its 10th year.

Tipsarevic, Gasquet, Raonic and Tomic are four of the most exciting shot makers in the game and will all be making their first appearances at the tournament. Serbian Tipsarevic has contested nine ATP World Tour finals and won last week’s Stuttgart event as well as Moscow and Kuala Lumpur in 2011. “I’m very excited to play the Thailand Open for the first time, said Tipsarevic. “I’ve heard great things about the tournament and about Bangkok, and I’m really looking forward to playing well there.”

Gasquet is currently ranked #21 and has been as high as #7 in the ATP rankings. He possesses one of the most beautiful backhands in tennis, and has collected six career titles. “It has taken many years but I am delighted to finally be able to compete in the Thailand Open,” said the Frenchman.

Milos Raonic is the fastest rising player in men’s tennis. His bullet serves and huge groundstrokes have seen him jump to #24 in the rankings from #156 at the beginning of last year. He has already captured three ATP titles including winning in Chennai and San Jose this year. “It’s always nice to go to a new place and meet new fans, so I hope everyone turns out and enjoys a great week of tennis,” Raonic said.

Joining Raonic among the most exciting young players in the game is Bernard Tomic. At the beginning of 2011, the young Aussie was ranked outside the top 200 but now finds himself amongst the top players in the game. On playing the Thailand Open for the first time, Tomic said: It’s going to be a very strong field and I’m looking forward to playing some great tennis there.”

Simon, Monfils and Verdasco have all enjoyed success in Bangkok before and are three of the most popular players among local fans. On his return to Bangkok, 12th-ranked Simon said: “This is my third time there and I really appreciate the crowd support, and the great hospitality of the Thai people.” World #17 Monfils and #16 Verdasco also have legions of Thai supporters who appreciate their exciting style of play. Both have reached the semi finals at the tournament before and will be aiming to go one better in 2012.

As part of the celebrations for the 10th year of the Thailand Open, fans will have the chance to participate in a special anniversary campaign and win one of 10 special Thailand Open experiences including tossing the coin for the tournament final, winning VIP courtside box seats, being a guest reporter and interviewing your favourite player, and much more. Details of the campaign will be announced in August.

Tickets for the Thailand Open 2012 go on sale on Saturday 21 July. Tickets are available at all Thaiticketmajor and Thai Post outlets. Call 02 262 3838 for more details.

Ticket prices start at just Bt300

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ATP Thailand Open Details

Format : Best of 3 tie-break sets

Venue : Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani

Date : 22 – 30 September

Qualifying rounds : 22 – 23 September

Main draw : 24 – 30 September

Prize money : US$608,500

Prize money and points breakdown: