Tennis net serves up Masters

Channel has rights to five series events

By BOBBIE WHITEMAN

Cable's Tennis Channel will telecast the European rounds of the 2003 Tennis Masters Series, including Monte Carlo (April 14-20), Rome (May 5-11), Hamburg (May 12-18), Madrid (Oct. 13-19) and Paris (Oct. 27-Nov. 2), in a deal with London-based Tennis Properties.

The Tennis Channel has rights to the five Tennis Masters Series events and will screen them all for the first time in the U.S.

"This series is the creme de la creme in men's tennis," said Steve Bellamy, president and founder of the Tennis Channel.

Andre Agassi captured the Tennis Masters Series 2002 titles in Rome and Madrid. Marat Safin won in Paris, Juan Carlos Ferrero in Monte Carlo and Roger Federer in Hamburg.