ATP delighted as court upholds restructuring plans

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The ATP has expressed its delight with a Delaware court's decision to throw out a case that had threatened to derail its plans to restructure the calendar.

The case was filed by the German Tennis Federation in response to plans by the governing body of the men's tennis tour to downgrade a tournament in Hamburg and move it in the calendar. They said the plans violated anti-trust laws.

After nine hours of deliberation, jurors in Wilmington rejected claims that the ATP was illegally trying to monopolize the market for player services and tournament sanctions, and that the restructuring was the result of collusion between officials.

On Monday, the judge in the case had thrown out all four claims filed against six ATP directors and three against the tour itself.

In a statement released on Tuesday, ATP executive chairman Etienne de Villiers said the decision vindicated its plans.

"Both the jury and Judge Sleet have recognized and upheld our fundamental right to set and make changes to the ATP Tour calendar, changes that are necessary if we are to unlock the full potential of our sport," he said.

"Their decision also supports ATP's position that this process of change was undertaken in a transparent, vigorous and good faith manner.

"These are exciting times for men's professional tennis with the ATP set to unveil the largest set of changes to the Tour since its inception in 1990."

Up to this year, Hamburg had been considered one of the most prestigious events of the claycourt season, part of the build-up to the French Open.

From 2009, it will be moved from May to July and downgraded to "500" status, a level below the Masters Series events, which will become known as "1000s".

The ATP said it had reserved a "500" tournament position on the tour in 2009, in the week beginning July 20, for Hamburg should it wish to take it up.

(Editing by John O'Brien)