Monte-Carlo, Monaco - The Catella Swedish Open in Bastad has been honoured as the ATP World Tour 250 Tournament of the Year for the seventh straight season.

In competition with 41 tournaments in 32 countries on six continents, the award is voted by the players. No other ATP World Tour 250 tournament has received the award seven straight years.

In 2008, the tournament was also honoured as the European Tournament of the Year and received the Laurence Millard Tournament Award of Excellence by members of the ATP's travelling staff.

The clay court event, which has been held for the past 62 summers, is regarded as one the biggest sports events in Scandinavia. The management team continues to improve the venue and the event, efforts that have been recognised and appreciated by ATP, the players, media, fans and partners.

"This, for us, is like winning an Oscar seven years in a row. What makes it so encouraging is that the jury consists of the players which are the artists that make ‘the show'. We will together with them to continue to improve our ‘movie' every year," said Tournament Director Thomas Wallén.

Adam Helfant, ATP Executive Chairman and President, said: "On behalf of the ATP I want to congratulate everyone at the Catella Swedish Open. This award demonstrates what a professional tournament Thomas, Christer and their team stage. Quite simply it is one of the best run and popular events on the ATP World Tour and the award is richly deserved by an outstanding team."

ATP Media Contact

Nicola Arzani (narzani@atpworldtour.com)

Tournament Director of Catella Swedish Open

Thomas Wallén, Mobile: +46 734 336800

E-mail: thomas.wallen@swedishopen.org

About ATP

ATP is the governing body of the men's professional tennis circuits - the ATP World Tour, the ATP Challenger Tour and the ATP Champions Tour. With 62 tournaments in 31 countries, the ATP World Tour showcases the finest male athletes competing in the world's most exciting venues. From Australia and Europe to Africa; from North and South America to Asia, the stars of the ATP World Tour battle for prestigious titles at Grand Slams (non ATP members), ATP World Tour Masters 1000, ATP World Tour 500 and ATP World Tour 250 events. At the end of the season the world's top 8 ranked singles players and top 8 doubles teams, based on their performance throughout the year, will qualify to compete in the season's climax - the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. To be held at London's O2 arena, the event will officially crown the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion and determine the final South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings. For more information, please visit ATPWorldTour.com