Recently, China Open 2007 held its first press conference in Shangri-la Hotel and announced that once again, Mercedes-Benz would be the sole automobile sponsor of the tournament. As with the previous three years, Mercedes-Benz will continue to provide official vehicles for the athletes and VIPs of China Open. A Mercedes-Benz display will also be set up at the site to bring the brand closer to tennis and Mercedes-Benz fans alike. The four years of sponsorship reflects Mercedes-Benz's focus on supporting the development of Chinese sports, its strong sense of social responsibility, and its connection with the young, dynamic and trend-setting.

"Mercedes-Benz has a longstanding tradition of sponsoring and organizing premier sports events, as well as promoting an energetic and healthy lifestyle. As one of the most influential tennis competitions, China Open helps us bring out the core value of our brand by representing Mercedes-Benz's heritage of taste and quality," said Dr. Claus Weidner, General Manager of the Sales & Marketing Dept, Mercedes-Benz (China) Ltd. "We hope that such a high-profile event will help people gain a deeper understanding of the brand philosophy of Mercedes-Benz, which not only symbolizes class but also the synergy of style and sports."

The director of China Open stated that the sponsorship of Mercedes-Benz would help spread the global influence of the tournament. Like Mercedes-Benz, a company that holds itself to superior standards in order to satisfy its clients, China Open also aspires to serve the Chinese public with a top-quality tennis event.

Mercedes-Benz was one of its major sponsors at birth, and has seen the tournament mature alongside the Mercedes-Benz brand. While China Open is rapidly gaining recognition akin to that of the four Grand Slams, Mercedes-Benz has also stepped up its efforts in the China Open in order to cement the connection between the brand and the young and sporty charm demonstrated by the competition. By providing luxury official vehicles like Mercedes-Benz S-Class for years, Mercedes-Benz has become a crucial backer of the event.

China Open, which includes the three international tennis contests of ATP, SEWTA and ITF, is one of the most popular and well-organized tennis events in Asia. The 2007 China Open will be held in Beijing from September 8 to 23. Tennis fans will be delighted to know that Fernando Gonzalez, the Australian Open runner-up, and the returning "Swiss Princess" Martina Hingis will both make their debut at China Open. The Belgian icon Justine Henin would also attend the event this year, and Ivan Ljubicic, an old friend of China Open and Chairman of the ATP Player Council, will once again come to Beijing for the event. Mercedes-Benz will provide them and other athletes with official vehicles during the event.