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  • Hamburg may seek solution to ATP impasse

    7/3/08 11:48 AM | Johan Lindahl
    - Hamburg Masters officials confirm they are ready to seek an out-of-court settlement with the ATP as a July 21 court date in the US draws closer.

    The German federation (DTB) is aiming to reverse a decision which demotes Hamburg from elite Masters status and move the clay event from May to July next year.

    “We want to look into every chance for a settlement”, DTB boss Georg von Waldenfels told Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

    The ATP, which has reportedly spent $7 million in legal costs already, could reportedly go bankrupt if Hamburg win the suit, due to be heard in a Delaware court and which seeks up to $50 million in damages.

    The historic tournament contends the sanctioning body does not have the right to toy with the status of the event in the name of a sweeping 2009 calendar change.

    ATP boss Etienne de Villiers and his lawyers say the body can indeed make changes to the circuit. But the South African is under fire from players as well as Hamburg and his contract renewal in December appears to be in danger.

    Adding to player pressure was the election just weeks ago of the world top three - Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic - to the ten-strong Player Council. All three have come out in support of Hamburg.

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