The Swiss tennis association has agreed a three-year sponsorship deal with Allianz Switzerland, further increasing the insurance company's national involvement in the sport.

Having already taken over from UBS as the main sponsors of the Swiss Open tennis tournament in Gstaad, Allianz has now decided to sponsor the Swiss Davis Cup team and the national junior championships.

"We wanted to play a part in the professional sporting arena, but also to support the game at the broad base," explained Allianz Switzerland marketing head Markus Hoppler.

"Tennis fits in very well with our slogan 'More time for life'," Hoppler added. "In other words, we offer financial services which aim to give people more free time for the important things in life."

Delight

Swiss tennis president Christine Ungricht also expressed her delight with the new deal.

"We consider ourselves very fortunate to have an important Swiss insurance firm among our family of sponsors," Ungricht said. "By supporting the sport not only at a top level but also at a junior and popular level, Allianz Switzerland are demonstrating an interest that is both credible and long-term."

In a further announcement, the Swiss tennis association revealed that it intended to offer a special package deal for supporters wishing to travel to next year's opening Davis Cup tie in Russia. Details will be available on the Swiss tennis website from December 15.

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