LONDON, June 20: The men’s professional tennis tour will stage an event in Africa for the first time next year as part of a new sponsorship deal with South African Airways worth $20 million (euro12.8 million) over three and a half years.

As part of the deal, a new tournament will be staged in South Africa from 2009.

“Several cities in South Africa have demonstrated a strong willingness to host the event and an announcement on the venue will be made shortly, subject to final ATP approval,” the ATP said in a statement on Friday.

The ATP organises 63 tournaments in 30 countries.

“As the global governing body for men’s tennis we are determined to ensure fans in as many countries in the world have the chance to see the starts of the ATP world tour up close and on court,” the ATP Chief Executive for international regions Brad Drewett said.

The ATP said SAA would be the tour’s official airline partner through 2012 and also sponsor several individual tournaments. Players and the ATP staff will also get special travel benefits with the airline.—AP