Bangalore replaces Mumbai on ATP Tour circuit

MUMBAI, India -- The southern Indian city of Bangalore will become a new stop on the ATP Tour this year, replacing the country's financial capital Mumbai as venue for the tennis tournament.

The ATP, governing body for men's professional tennis, announced the switch on Tuesday. The Mumbai event was hampered by heavy rains during the two years of its existence.

Moving to Bangalore, which hosted the ATP World Doubles Championship in 2000, the new event has been named Bangalore Open.

The ATP board also sanctioned a change of time for the tournament, which will begin Sept. 29.

Indian tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi, whose company Globosport is the promoter of the event, welcomed the ATP Tour's return to his hometown.

"We're happy with the success that we've achieved in Mumbai. Moving the tournament to Bangalore will give men's tennis another opportunity to spread its wings in India," Bhupathi, a winner of four Grand Slam doubles and six Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, said in a statement issued by the ATP.