Roddick to play ATP Tennis Channel tournament in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS – Andy Roddick, the highest-ranking American tennis player, has committed to play in the relocated Tennis Channel Open, the event sponsor said Thursday.
Roddick, ranked No. 3 in the world by the ATP, will be paid an undisclosed appearance fee as the marquee draw in a 32-player men’s singles field, said Steve Bellamy, president of event sponsor The Tennis Channel.
“Having Andy involved is really going to make it a spectacular year one,” Bellamy said of the Feb. 27-March 5 tournament.
Roddick opted not to play at a tournament that week in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, that is drawing other top players including Las Vegas resident Andre Agassi and No. 1-ranked Roger Federer.
In a statement released by the Santa Monica, Calif.-based Tennis Channel, Roddick expressed enthusiasm for the Las Vegas tournament, which had been played since 1986 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Americans Robby Ginepri, ranked 17th on the ATP tour, and James Blake, as well as German Tommy Haas were among other players committed to the Las Vegas event, Bellamy said.