Grand Slam champions to lead field at PTT Thailand Open 2010

The PTT Thailand Open 2010 will be highlighted by the participation of the reigning French Open, Wimbledon and US Open champions. The tournament will take place at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani from 25 September to 3 October.

The world’s #1 tennis player Rafael Nadal, and Juan Martin del Potro will head a line-up that will also feature Olympic champion Fernando Gonzalez and 2010’s break out star Ernests Gulbis.

Thai tennis fans have waited a long time to see the Spanish bull in action, and in 2010 Rafael Nadal is in the best form of his illustrious career, having recently won the French Open title for the fifth time and Wimbledon for the second time. He has been in outstanding form capturing an additional three consecutive Masters 1000 titles this year. “I have been disappointed that I have not been able to play the PTT Thailand Open in previous years,” said Nadal, “but this year with my health and body in good shape, I am really looking forward to playing some great tennis for the Thai fans.”

Nadal’s competition will come from world #7 Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, who will be making his return to the ATP World Tour after undergoing wrist surgery early in the year. The US Open champion said: “I am looking forward to playing the PTT Thailand Open on my return from injury. I really enjoyed myself on my last visit to Bangkok and hope for good results at this year’s tournament.” Del Potro was ranked at #4 in the world before taking a break for surgery.

Like Nadal, Fernando Gonzalez of Chile will be competing in the event for the first time. Gonzalez has one of the biggest forehands in men’s tennis and his matches are always action-packed affairs. The Chilean is the winner of 11 titles on the ATP World Tour and has been ranked as high as #5. “I have never played in Bangkok but have heard wonderful things about the city and the tournament, so I’m really looking forward to playing the PTT Thailand Open this year,” Gonzalez said.

Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis has made the biggest rise in the ATP Top 100 this year. At last year’s PTT Thailand Open Gulbis was ranked outside the top 100 but is currently ranked at #28 and continuing to rise. His win over Roger Federer at this year’s Rome Masters 1000 was one of the best matches of the year. Gulbis credits his participation in last year’s tournament as the kick start of his improved form: “I played some good tennis and had a great time in Bangkok last year which gave me the confidence to build on in 2010, so I’m really looking forward to returning this year.”

Further big name tennis stars competing in this year’s event will be announced in August. The event will feature a main singles draw of 28 players, a 16-team doubles draw and 32-man Qualifying rounds. This year’s ballgirls for the PTT Thailand Open will once again be selected from contestants in the Miss Thailand World 2010 pageant.

After the astounding success of last year’s racquet drive, PTT will again be running a racquet donation campaign in connection with the tournament and is proud to introduce a new special PTT Family Pack ticket making the event more affordable than ever.

Tickets for the event start at just Bt300 and are available at all Thaiticketmajor outlets from Saturday24 July. Call 02 262 3838 or www.thaiticketmajor.com for more details.