MACAU, June 28, 2023 (Press Release)
MGM and IMG are thrilled to unveil the inaugural MGM Macau Tennis Masters, an exciting new invitational event that brings top international tennis talents to Asia. Supported by the Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government and Macau Tennis Association, the event has already confirmed the participation of three exceptional young stars – Swiss sensation Belinda Bencic and American powerhouses Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe.
Taking place from 2-3 December 2023 at the Macao East Asian Games Dome, the largest indoor sports facility in Macau, the hard court mixed event will feature a total of four ATP and two WTA players competing in a best-of-three sets format, with a ten-point match tiebreak in lieu of a third set. Two men’s singles matches and one mixed doubles match will be played on Saturday, while Sunday will showcase one women’s singles match and two men’s singles matches, followed by the awards ceremony.
“We’re thrilled IMG was able to bring this first-class event to Macau. It is going to be a truly fantastic couple of days for tennis fans in the region, and an exciting first, as it brings stars from men’s and women’s tennis together in Macau for the first time,” said Robbie Henchman, President of Global Partnerships at IMG.
“Sports fans, friends and families will be highly entertained by the on-court action and have the rare chance to get up close and personal with these young stars. The MGM Macau Tennis Masters promises to bring a surge of excitement to the already vibrant atmosphere of Macau!”
“MGM is delighted to present this tennis mega event which brings in many young, big names of world tennis to compete in Macau for the very first time. Our Company is committed to constantly bringing fresh impetus to the city’s sports tourism. We are confident that this inaugural top-class event will bring Macau under the world tennis spotlight, drawing tennis fans and lovers worldwide to come to Macau, and further elevating Macau as a world-class destination of elite sports events,’ said Ms. Pansy Ho, Chairperson and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited.
Swiss star Belinda Bencic will have fond memories of playing in Asia, with her stellar performances in Tokyo two years ago leading to her winning the Olympic singles gold medal and doubles silver medal. The 26-year-old has been ranked as high as number four in the world, and has amassed 10 career titles, with two singles titles picked up from three finals appearances in this year alone.
Meanwhile, Taylor Fritz has firmly entrenched himself in the world’s top 10 since late last year, and in March, he became the first American man to crack the top 5 since Andy Roddick achieved the feat in 2009. With five career titles under his belt, including his latest being picked up at Delray Beach this year, the 25-year-old is best remembered for his triumph at the Indian Wells Masters in 2022, when he beat Rafa Nadal in the final.
A close friend of Fritz, Frances Tiafoe has gradually built up his record on the tour, with the highlight of his young career being a remarkable five-set win over Rafa Nadal at the 2022 US Open in front of the biggest crowd he had ever been associated with. The 25-year-old is currently in rich form, picking up two of his three career titles in 2023, with his most recent win in Stuttgart making him only the third African-American in history to crack the top ten.
Together, Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz are the first American pair in the Top 10 since Mardy Fish and John Isner achieved the feat in May 2012.
The three other players participating in the MGM Macau Tennis Masters will be revealed in July, when ticket sales for the event will also be officially launched.
