Optus and Tennis Australia celebrate a multi-faceted deal

Optus today reconfirmed its support of Australian tennis with a further two year sponsorship commitment to all levels of the sport.

In an updated multi-million dollar deal, Optus has renewed its sponsorship which includes partner status at Australia's premier sporting event, the Australian Open, naming rights to the elite Davis and Fed Cup teams, and support for the next generation of Australian tennis players at junior level.

The announcement coincides with the naming of The Optus Australian Davis Cup Team, which will take on Belgium, in Liege, from 9-11 February.

Rob Parcell, Director of Victoria, said Optus was proud to continue the long-term partnership with Tennis Australia and the Australian Open.

"The shared principles of teamwork, competition and challenger spirit have seen the relationship between Tennis Australia and Optus grow and prosper since 2001," Mr Parcell said.

"Optus is committed to supporting Australia’s representative tennis teams as well as identifying and nurturing junior talent and supporting wheelchair athletes.

"In a world first, the Australian Open Wheelchair Championships presented by Optus, was staged at Melbourne Park during the second week of the Australian Open. We are pleased to help build the profile of this important branch of tennis, with Optus last year adding this event into our overall agreement with Tennis Australia."

Steve Wood, CEO, Tennis Australia said, "Optus continues to be a valued supporter of tennis in Australia. Their sponsorship is unique as it provides support to every level of the game.

"The continued commitment of Optus ensures our future champions receive the levels of coaching and international competition required to excel on the world stage," he said.

Note to Editor: Under the Optus Team Tennis umbrella, support from Optus includes:

• Partner of the Australian Open;
• Optus Australian Fed Cup and Optus Australian Davis Cup teams - Naming rights sponsorship;
• Optus Junior Davis Cup and Fed Cup teams - Naming rights sponsorship;
• Optus Junior Tour - Naming rights sponsorship of the Tour covering 68 metropolitan and 41 regional events including 14 national titles covering 18/U, 16/U, 14/U and 12/U age groups;
• Optus High Performance Players - A national development program designed to help up to 60 (30 male and 30 female) players showing potential to become world class players; and
• Optus Wheelchair Tennis - including the Australian Open Wheelchair Championships, staged during the Australian Open 2007.

Media contact:
Natalie Kitchen
Optus Corporate Affairs
Phone: 02 9342 8138
Mobile: 0423 760 954

John Lindsay
Media & Communications Manager, Tennis Australia
Phone: 03 9914 4230
Mobile: 0413 240 171

Eloise Tyson
Media & PR Coordinator, Tennis Australia
Phone: 03 9914 4138
Mobile: 0409 534 960