ATP Barcelona Open Chips In Towards Innovative Welfare

After some truly despairing times, Spain’s struggles with the COVID-19 are finally starting to subside a little. About a week ago, the deaths were rising at an alarming rate of 20%. However, this week has brought that number down to 9%. While it’s still a lot, the signs are positive. Amid all this, one tennis event based in the country is doing it’s bit to help out the nation- the ATP Barcelona Open.

Spain has suffered enough at the cruelty of the COVID-19 disease. It stands second only to Italy when it comes to deaths caused by the pandemic with more than 11,700 deaths. The silver lining is that the rate has dropped dramatically through the last week, hinting at some respite and recovery.

Despite that, the health associations in the country are still struggling to cope with the sheer number of cases. Equipment along with nursing facilities in itself are far from ideal. Many hotels were turned into temporary hospitals in order to accommodate the large number of patients.

However, Spain has sown admirable defiance while fighting back.

ATP Barcelona Open chips in

Atheletes like Rafael Nadal, Pau Gasol, Andres Iniesta and even Novak Djokovic have stood up to help the nation cope with the tragedy. And now, one of the ATP Tour event has also chipped in with their own contribution.

ATP 500 Barcelona Open is doing it’s bit by contributing towards an innovative method of producing more masks. they are donating 20,000 caps, which are to be fashioned into face masks. The initial 1,000 masks made from those will be delivered to the local hotels-turned-hospitals. 2,000 masks will be sent to the Ifema complex in Madrid, which is housing 2,000 hospital beds.

The remaining masks will also be similarly distributed where they are most needed.

Barcelona Open won my heart a few years ago when they renamed their Center court after Rafael Nadal. They have only deepened my love for them with this beautiful gesture.

I cannot wait for Spain, and the planet to recover from this disease. Once we beat the virus, we’ll once again get to come to Barcelona and watch some exciting tennis.