BEIJING, Sept. 17 (Xinhuanet, By Li Li) -- China would have much more influence in the tennis sport with its growing tennis market and tournaments, ATP chief Mark Miles said here on Saturday.

    The CEO of the men's professional tennis governing body told Xinhua upon his arrival at the airport that he came to see in person the China Open ATP tournament, moving into its second year.

    "China is regarded by ATP as the most important possible growthmarket for tennis in the world, and Beijing is obviously at the front for tennis growth in China," he said, "so it's very important that the event be successful."

    "Players feel comfortable and the public response positive and people enjoy the high-level, that combination growing in years, eventually, China would have a more important role in tennis,"

    With more tournaments now held outside the US and Europe, Mileswanted to turn the tennis "a truly global sport".

    The American, who started to work with ATP 15 years ago, noted the situation, with important players from all over the world, hadbeen different from the years when the US players dominate.

    "One of our objectives is that we have right events at the right levels in right countries so that you make it truly global.

    Miles was happy to see tournaments in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, looking back to where they started with "actually nothing in South America".

    "We also have started in the Middle East, Qatar for example. and Now we are looking into China.

    "We tried previously establishing events in China but... I feelnow that time is right and events we have in place are likely to be here for long term and grow year by year."

    The year-end Masters Cup will kick off in Shanghai and Beijing signed with ATP last year to host the 500,000 US dollars China Open for the following ten years.

    But the ATP boss ruled out the possibility to shift other events to China in the near future.

    "One of our objectives is having one of our great events in China, and at the moment, the Masters Cup fills that purpose.

    "At some point, I think the Masters Cup is likely to travel to other part of the world. I think by the time that happens, it's interesting for ATP trying to locate maybe a master serie in China. "

    Miles will stay in Beijing for a week before leaving for Shanghai on Masters Cup arrangements. Enditem