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As Executive Chairman and President of the ATP Tour it is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the beautiful town of Salerno for the third ITFR World Tennis Championships.

I have no doubt that these Championships will be an unforgettable experience. The facilities and setting of the Rotary Club Salerno are spell-binding; spectators and players alike are set for an unforgettable week of tennis.

I can think of few, more relevant sports than tennis to be involved with the Rotary Club.  Tennis is built upon the values of fair-play, determination and hard work; values that are at the heart of the Rotarian movement.

But of course, this coming week is about much more than just tennis. It is about making new friendships, experiencing new cultures and above all continuing the great work of Rotary.

It is my great privilege to become an honorary member of the Comitato d’Onore and be able, in a small way, to help endorse the important work that the ITFR and the wider Rotary community undertake around the world.  Rotary has long worked to serve the wider community and help tackle pressing issues such as environmental degradation, illiteracy, world hunger, and children at risk. These are laudable ambitions and I commend everyone involved for their continued hard work and support towards making them a reality.

I would like to thank everyone involved in making this wonderful week a reality.  As well as ITFR Chairman Tomislav Maravic and Tournament Director Marco Marinaro, I would like to thank the many volunteers who have given up their time to make the tournament happen.  It truly could not happen without you.

Have a wonderful week.

London, 08.06.2007

Etienne de Villiers
Executive Chairman and President of the ATP
Association of Tennis Professionals

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