LONDON, August 6, 2008 (AFP) - The ATP Tour on Wednesday expressed relief as a US court threw out a multimillion dollar antitrust case brought by the German Tennis Federation (DTB) against the dropping of Hamburg's Masters Series status.

The downgrading from 2009 of the event, which had previously served as a big-ticket claycourt preparation for the French Open, is part of the Association of Tennis Professionals' (ATP) attempts to reform a packed calendar and reduce injuries while ensuring top stars compete in prestigious events.

Claiming some 77 million dollars in damages the DTB brought an antitrust lawsuit in protest but the jury at a US district court in Delaware unanimously rejected their plea following a two-week trial in finding the move did not violate monopoly laws.

In a statement, Etienne de Villiers, ATP Executive Chairman, said:

'We are delighted by today's unanimous jury decision in favour of the ATP.'

He added the court recognised the Tour's 'fundamental right to set and make changes to the ATP Tour calendar, changes that are necessary if we are to unlock the full potential of our sport.'

DTB president Georg von Waldenfels said the Germans were justified in brining the claim and were debating whether to appeal the ruling.