BERLIN, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Mercedes-Benz Friday announced that they will end their 11-year sponsorship of men's tennis when its current deal with the ATP Tour expires at the end of 2008.

    The company said in a statement it wanted to shift the focus of its marketing activities to golf, horse riding and soccer, as well as fashion and lifestyle.

    The ATP said in a separate statement it was in discussions with a number of potential new sponsorship partners.

    The men's tour will undergo significant changes from the start of 2009, with new tournaments, mandatory player participation and record prize money, it added.