COMPAQ GRAND SLAM CUP

December 3, 1996

Andreas Barth

Daniel Beauvois

Axel Meyer-Wolden

Wilfred Spronk

ROBERT LUBENOFF: Well, the snow is done. The sun is shining. It's time to launch the Seventh Compaq Grand Slam Cup. All the preparations are done. In less than one hour, Michael Stich is going to open the Compaq Grand Slam Cup. Traditionally, I should like the chairman of the tournament to address the audience and open, officially, this official final of the Grand Slam season. Dr. Meyer-Wolden, before I give you the floor, can I introduce the other people of this panel. Next to him Mr. Daniel Beauvois, managing director of ISPR, which is the organizational agency organizing and marketing the tournament. Then next to him, the host, as it were, Wilfred Spronk, managing director of the Olympiapark. To my left, a person well-known, Andreas Barth, president/CEO of Compaq. Dr. Meyer-Wolden.

DR. MEYER-WOLDEN: Welcome to Munich in 1996, ladies and gentlemen. It's the seventh Compaq Grand Slam Cup. It's as if we only met last week. Time flies more and more every year. I think it was an extremely exciting tennis year, 1996; the four Grand Slam tournaments, more than anything else. This tournament, as you know, is based on these four tournaments. Boris Becker in Australia, Pete Sampras at the US Open, the winners, two big champions have made two of these tournaments this year. Kafelnikov in Paris, and Krajicek in Wimbledon were two sort of surprising winners, which shows that the tennis is alive. Newcomers or younger players have their chance and can really get to the very top and win the most important tournaments in tennis. For this tournament this year, as always, we are looking for the champion, Grand Slam Champion. I feel a bit sad because, as you all know, this year, 1996, is the last year to have this Grand Slam Cup in this preChristmas mood in December, because, as of next year, the tournament will be played in the third week of September. All in all, I'm rather satisfied with the Grand Slam Committee's decision to this effect. As you know, we had a number of injuries this year, players have been driven to cancel this tournament from their tournament plan. As you know, Davis Cup is another thing; four Grand Slam tournaments. This is a lot of tournaments, indeed, and it's a very tight schedule. The top players are sort of overstrained. I think it is a good decision to get closer to the last Grand Slam tournament of the year, the US Open. On the other hand, of course, this typical Munich preChristmas atmosphere will be replaced by the Oktoberfest because it's the first of two or three Oktoberfest weeks. So, it will be adequate and something that is going to replace this Christmas season. I wish you have a nice week in Munich and enjoy the sport. Thank you, very much.

ROBERT LUBENOFF: Thank you, Dr. Meyer-Wolden. Of course, after the statements you're going to ask your questions. But, I'd first like to ask Daniel Beauvois to give his statement.

DANIEL BEAUVOIS: Ladies and gentlemen, ISPR has been the organizer and the marketing organization for two years now for this tournament. On the whole, I think our job is almost done as of today because now sport is going to start. Other people are going to create the highlights of this tournament. As far as the preparations are concerned, we are quite satisfied. The tournament is going to open with a fully booked hall, which is a good sign. We suppose the ticket sales are going to develop positively over the week as they have over these last weeks. 60,000 people will be here. The crowd, the VIP lounges are ready, we are prepared to host 60,000 people. Everything is ready. The TV marketing company, of course, that we are, things that -- TV marketing is of the utmost importance and for the first time will be in 143 countries live. I am not talking about smaller, so-called, minute reports. They are going to be broadcast in even more countries. For the first time there will be a live signal in more than 150 countries. Of course, not only our traditional sponsors, Compaq, of course, there are five new sponsors this year: Telly-D1, Escada, SKL, Generali, Rado. And, I'd like to thank, of course, our old and our new sponsors that make such a tournament possible. Now, as I said, our job is done. Now it's the sport. Thank you, very much.

ROBERT LUBENOFF: Thank you, Daniel. Before giving the floor to the sportsmen, the title sponsors, Mr. Barth.

ANDREAS BARTH: On behalf of the title sponsor; on behalf of the other sponsors, I'd like to welcome you. We are extremely satisfied to see how this tournament has developed over seven years. And, we are a bit proud to be the title sponsor, the partner of this tournament, and its excellent development. One thing I'd like to stress is the information service that we have been providing to you, to the journalists, for years. Last year we went onto the Internet, this database covering the matches, giving all the statistics, players' profiles, so on. All this has been offered to potentially 40 million users via the net. This year we took it yet another step because for the first time there's a video on the Internet, which is a worldwide first. This is something we think is absolutely high technology. And, this, of course, makes the link between our high-tech company and the Grand Slam Cup. Of course, not only you in the press room, but potentially all the Internet users can be on line, on the web to see the match reports, interviews in real time. The Internet, as you know, is the medium of the future. There are about 60 million users today, but according to the latest estimates, it's going to be more than a billion people. And, it's one day going to one day play the role that the telephone has played for 20 or 30 years. We would like to contribute to tennis being offered and accessible to a lot of people. This is our contribution. As far as I'm concerned, I can only wish you excellent working conditions over the week. We are going to support you with everything we can do. If there's anything we can do or supply, don't hesitate to let us know, otherwise I wish you and I wish for everybody a very exciting tournament.

ROBERT LUBENOFF: Thank you all. Last but not least the host, Mr. Spronk.

WILFRED SPRONK: Ladies and gentlemen, the Olympiapark doesn't feature a world first as the title sponsor does, but being the host here, I'd like to welcome you most cordially in the Olympiahalle Munich. This year's Compaq Grand Slam Cup tournament is a real highlight in a year that has not lacked highlights because, as you may remember, a week ago the boxing fight was here and there will be a few concerts and operas ending the year in the Olympiahalle. Then we start a very special year, 1997, 25 years after the Olympic games, and I can only tell you that we are proud. Of course, next year the tournament is going to be here and this makes us proud because it's going to be part of our events, as Dr. Meyer-Wolden said, it's going to take place in September, not December anymore. As it has to be for such a top tournament, we had to shift some events because it's going to be an even tighter schedule next year, being the 25th anniversary year. But the Compaq Grand Slam tournament has found its date, third week of September, and I'm certain that the atmosphere in the hall and in the city even more seen by more people all over the world during Oktoberfest is going to be important and interesting. Welcome again. I hope you're going to spend a very pleasant and exciting week here. Let me just mention from those coming outside Munich, you know that your credentials entitle you to see the Olympiahalle and the swimming pool.

ROBERT LUBENOFF: Before you ask your questions, could I introduce Bill Babcock from England, the administrator of the Grand Slam Committee. Should you have any questions about injuries, changes of the draw, he is the person to ask. As far as the players are concerned, it's the Grand Slam Committee. They are responsible, and he is going to give you all the information you need. Would you like to ask your questions? Then of course wait for the charming ladies, they are going to hand the microphones over to you so there can be a simultaneous translation.

DANIEL BEAUVOIS: It varies. Rado has signed for four years. For the other four sponsors, it's one year plus an option to extend.

DR. MEYER-WOLDEN: Well, of course, for security reasons, among others, I cannot really give an answer to this question. I'd like to ask you not to cover this because the more you write about it, the more, of course, these things could be triggered, invited. You just assume that everything has been made in terms of security in order to have a safe tournament.

ROBERT LUBENOFF: Well, if you don't have any other questions, I would simply like to wish you a very good, successful, pleasant week. Anytime you have a problem that you feel you need help, my colleagues, you'll find us where you always find us, and have a very pleasant week here in Munich. Thank you, very much.

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