HOUSTON (Texas), Nov 15: ATP Masters Cup promoter Jim McIngvale has apologized for his open favouritism of Americans Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick at the season-ending showdown of the year’s top eight tennis players.

Argentina’s David Nalbandian made an issue of the 52-year-old furniture tycoon cheering on the US players from a front row seat during a loss to Agassi on Thursday that ended his hopes of claiming the title.

“I think it’s a lack of respect toward the players,” Nalbandian said. He complained to a tournament official during a changeover that McIngvale’s antics might influence umpire calls.

Asked if other non-US players had made the same complaints about McIngvale, Nalbandian replied: “They all feel the same way.”

McIngvale, the host club owner who spent 27 million dollars to bring the event here, told the Houston Chronicle that he was sorry for cheering only Roddick and Agassi and was told by tournament officials to control himself.

“They said: ‘Look, with all the good work you have done for tennis, don’t destroy it by having all these other players hate you because you cheer for Andre and Andy,” McIngvale told the newspaper.

“That’s certainly a valid concern. But from my standpoint as a promoter, do you know how much publicity the tournament is going to get the next two days because Andre made the semi-finals? Try a million dollars.”

McIngvale then took a swipe at last week’s season-ending PGA Tour Championship held at a nearby course, where unheralded Chad Campbell won the title and Tiger Woods was 26th out of 30, missing a chance at the money title.

“With all due respect to the golf tournament last week, who won?” McIngvale said. “Everybody says, ‘It wasn’t Tiger.’”

McIngvale, who has worn shirts emblazoned with the US flag, knows Agassi and Roddick fom their appearances here at the US Clay Court Championships in April, also hosted at McIngvale’s club.

“I’m sorry. I tried to clap for people who I have a connection with,” he told the Chronicle. “Andre and Andy are guys I have known over the years. I just don’t have a personal connection with these other boys.”

McIngvale promised to improve his behavior for matches over the final three days of the event.

“I could see their point of view,” he said. “I guess I’m going to sit there and gag myself. I’m sorry I’m emotional. If I wasn’t so emotional I wouldn’t put so much damn money in the game.”

McIngvale spent US$10m to build the 8,500-seat stadium court where the season-ending showdown has been played this week, another seven million for rights to stage the event and 10 million more in promotions.

He has spent US$23m more on sponsoring ATP events.—AFP