MASTERS CUP TO LEAVE SHANGHAI AFTER 2008, PROBABLY FOR EUROPE

By Ravi Ubha and Richard Jordan

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Oct. 5 (Bloomberg) -- The Masters Cup, which showcases the world's top tennis players in the richest tournament outside a 
Grand Slam, will leave Shanghai after 2008 and probably return to Europe. 

London and Paris are among more than half a dozen cities vying to host the season-ending event when the tour's four-year 
contract with Shanghai expires, men's tour Chairman Etienne de Villiers said. 

``It's essential we bring it back to Europe,'' De Villiers said in an interview. ``In the past, by necessity rather than by 
design, we've gone to cities where the check has been good and it hasn't necessarily been the right city for the sport.'' 
He didn't disclose financial details. 

David Nalbandian came back from a two-set deficit to defeat top-ranked Roger Federer in the 2005 final last November. The 4 
1/2 hour match finished in the early afternoon in most of Europe and early morning in the U.S. 

Moving it to Europe or ``European-related'' time zones would boost its popularity, De Villiers added. The last time the 
tournament, which offers prize money of $3.7 million this year, was held in Europe was in Lisbon six years ago. Sydney, 
Shanghai and Houston followed before a return to China. 

``When you explain to (European fans) that we have this tournament, they say it's fantastic,'' De Villiers said. ``They 
say, `Why don't we get to see it.' We say `Yes you do, but you don't know about it because it's a lousy time and we haven't 
done a great job marketing it.''' 


Two-Week Tournament 

London has never hosted the year-end singles competition, while Paris was the venue in 1971. Madrid, Moscow, St. 
Petersburg, Prague, Doha and Dubai have also expressed an interest, De Villiers said. 

Shanghai may hold a two-week tournament combining the men's and women's tours when the Masters Cup exits, according to De 
Villiers. 

Last year's event at the purpose-built $200 million Qi Zhong tennis center was marred by the withdrawals of Rafael Nadal, 
Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt, Andy Roddick and Marat Safin. Federer only just returned from injury. 

The eight players who have amassed the most points in the calendar year qualify.