Brodies Champions of Tennis cancelled in Edinburgh following roof problems

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-27901823

Version 0 of 1.

A major tennis tournament featuring top veteran players has been cancelled two days before it was due to be held, forcing organisers into administration.

The Brodies Champions of Tennis event will not go ahead in Edinburgh as a result of problems with the court roof.

Thousands of spectators watched matches between John McEnroe, Goran Ivanisevic, Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski at last year's inaugural event.

Organisers Serve & Volley Ltd had tried to improve weather protection.

Wet weather disrupted play last year and the company had hoped to avoid similar problems this year when running the event at Raeburn Place from Thursday to Sunday.

Extensive investigation

A statement said: "Following on from last year's event, we revised the design of the roof covering the court to provide better weather protection.

"This resulted in a unique and complex design, which required specialists to manage and oversee the build.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, the specialist team have been unable to facilitate the build and, despite extensively investigating all alternative options, we have not been able to secure a solution.

"We fully appreciate the disappointment this will cause customers, sponsors and suppliers; this decision has not been taken lightly.

"The unavoidable cancellation resulting from the problems experienced with the roof has resulted in the organisers, Serve & Volley Ltd, entering into voluntary liquidation.

"Administrators are to be appointed over the coming days and will be in contact with all suppliers in due course.

"We would like to thank everyone that has been involved in the event to date as we fully recognise the huge amount of goodwill and support that we have received."

'Hugely disappointed'

Last year's winner, former world number four Thomas Enqvist, was expected to defend his title at the second Brodies Champions of Tennis, part of the ATP Champion tour.

Mark Philippoussis and Fabrice Santoro were also scheduled to play, according to the event's Facebook page.

Sponsors Brodies LLP said they learned at a meeting earlier that the enlarged roof over the court could not be erected effectively "contrary to all assurances given to us by the organisers".

A spokesman said: "We are hugely disappointed that this has caused the cancellation of the tournament by Serve & Volley at this stage.

"We share the frustration of the many tennis fans who bought tickets expecting to see a premier sporting event.

"However, based on current weather forecasts, there is a measure of risk of a repeat of the upset caused to some spectators by disruption of some of the sessions due to rain at last year's event.

"We believe that pressing ahead with the championship under these circumstances would not be fair to ticket holders, who bought tickets expecting the additional protection this year of an extended court roof.

"Our paramount concern is for these ticket holders. Although the tickets were sold by Serve & Volley, as a gesture of goodwill, Brodies will refund the cost of tickets to individual ticket holders who are unable to recover the cost of their tickets from Serve & Volley or from their credit or debit card providers."