The Dome at Greenwich could host the Masters Cup, says De Villiers

Shanghai's deal to stage the event runs out in 2008, after which De Villiers said it is likely to return to Europe.

He said: "It's an open process, but I'd love it to go to London in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic Games.

"There's a phenomenal facility at the Dome, and a lot of support from the city authorities, from the LTA, broadcasters and sponsors."

He added: "The Masters Cup needs to be where most of the fans are.

"It needs to follow the natural course of the European indoor season. It would make a lot more sense to have it in Europe.

"I don't regret the fact that the Masters Cup went to Shanghai - it was the right thing to do for the development of the sport and of the Chinese market.

"But we must take the development of tennis in China to the next level which is to give them a Masters Series event in exchange for bringing the Masters Cup back to Europe."

The season's finale for the top eight players in the ATP Race will be staged in Shanghai for the second consecutive year from 13-21 November.