INDIANAPOLIS: Officials of the Indianapolis Championships will sell off the rights to their ATP Tour event, ending more than eight decades of pro tennis in the city.

Kevin Martin, tournament director for the 519,000-dollar hardcourt event, said that a sale is expected to be completed by the end of December after the non-profit operating group exhausted all options to keep the event in Indiana.

Finding sponsorship in tough economic times proved difficult for the tournament, which was set to be staged July 19-25, 2010, with a field of 32 players.

American journeyman Robby Ginepri won the title in 2009.

Organizers did not say what groups were interested in the event or where it might be staged, but indicated the move was made with an eye to boosting interest in tennis throughout the United States.

Indianapolis Business Journal has reported that the US Tennis Association's southern section had purchased rights to the event and plans to move it to Atlanta for 2010.