BNP Paribas, one of the leading European banks located in over 80 countries, took over as title sponsor of Davis Cup from 2002. This is a milestone for Davis Cup and furthers the bank's tradition of partnership with major tennis competitions. For over 28 years, BNP Paribas has sponsored Roland Garros and this successful relationship is one of the longest in history and will be continued. BNP Paribas also sponsors other tennis events in France and internationally.
BNP Paribas joined the Davis Cup family in 2001 as an international sponsor, stepping up to title sponsorship this year. They replace NEC who withdrew as title sponsor after 21 years of partnership with Davis Cup.
BNP Paribas and the ITF have also agreed a new partnership at the grassroots level of international tennis. In 2002 the ITF will re-brand the Boys 16 & Under section of its World Youth Cup as "Junior Davis Cup by BNP Paribas."
Junior Davis Cup by BNP Paribas is the premier international team competition for aspiring tennis stars at the Boys' 16 & Under level and involves qualifying events all over the world culminating in a final week. The current champion is Chile - who took the title at home in 2001 in front of thousands of fans. The event was covered live on national television in Chile. By re-branding the competition to mirror the senior event, the stars of tomorrow will get the chance to sample the unique atmosphere of Davis Cup at an early stage in their career.
"Davis Cup has found an outstanding title sponsor in BNP Paribas. All of us at the ITF who worked closely with their team last year as international sponsors look forward to an enhanced relationship with them not only for Davis Cup but also for Junior Davis Cup," said Francesco Ricci Bitti, President of the ITF. "BNP Paribas has a long history of involvement in tennis at all levels in France and we are delighted that they have decided to expand their partnership with the ITF to include the Junior Davis Cup."
Commenting on this agreement, M. Pébereau, Chairman of the Board and CEO of BNP Paribas, said : "Our worldwide partnership with the Davis Cup is providing a new dimension to our sponsorship activity, which reflects our group's ambitions. We are very proud to be both the title sponsor of the leading international team competition, and of the French Open Roland Garros, one of the four Grand Slam tournaments. Tennis is truly a universal sport. BNP Paribas is glad to strengthen its association with the performance and fair-value of the game, and to expand it to the Junior Davis Cup, an international sport event which should reveal the future champions".
Davis Cup by BNP Paribas is the largest, annual international team competition in sport with 142 nations entered in 2002. This year marks the first year of title sponsorship by BNP Paribas who became a part of the Davis Cup family as international sponsors in 2001.
The Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Quarterfinal ties, scheduled for 5-7 April, are France vs Czech Republic in Pau, France; United States vs Spain in Houston, Texas, USA; Russia vs Sweden in Moscow, Russia and Argentina vs Croatia in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Eighteen other ties are taking place over the same weekend.
BNP Paribas has just launched a new website fully dedicated to its involvement in sponsoring tennis : www.tennis.bnpparibas.com. The website, which is both in French and in English, can be accessed directly through BNP Paribas Group's portal (www.bnpparibas.com). The site is designed to give tennis lovers an overview of all the tennis tournaments and events BNP Paribas sponsors, and to provide information on the events (dates, results, new events, etc.).
A leading international financial services group with around 80,000 staff in over 80 countries, BNP Paribas is a major player in corporate and investment banking, private banking and asset management. The largest listed banking group and number one in terms of net income in the Euro zone, the Paris-based company commands strong positions in Europe and plays a pre-eminent role in Asia and North and South America.