The virtual edition of the Mutua Madrid Open has certainly opened up an exciting tennis option for fans amidst the actionless quarantine. However, the dabble will be more with Esports and less with actual tennis.
This is because top tennis stars will actually be playing through their video game characters and not themselves. However, the biggest draw for the tournament is the exciting prize money at stake. Notably, the tournament will include a purse of £150, 000 in both the ATP and WTA draws.
That’s not the most crucial point. The winners can actually choose to donate this amount to the lower-ranked tennis players who are suffering economically. Hopeful estimates say that the winners are likely to donate the entire fund they win.
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That’s not it. An extra £50, 000 has been kept for relief work relating to the Coronavirus. Your obvious next question would be about the participants in this innovative tournament. Let’s find out.
Know More – The Mutua Madrid Open Announces Exciting News For Tennis Deprived Fans
Who all are participating in the virtual Madrid Open?
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The tournament will be witnessing the participation of some of the biggest names in tennis. From the ATP, the players involved are as follows –
Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, Gael Monfils, David Goffin, Kei Nishikori, Fabio Fognini, Diego Schwartzman, Karen Khachanov, John Isner, David Ferrer, Frances Tiafoe, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Denis Shapovalov.
The WTA has the following players on offer –
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Karolina Pliskova, Elina Svitolina, Bisnca Andreescu, Belinda Bencic, Kiki Bertens, Angelique Kerber, Madison Keys, Kristina Mladenovic, Carla Suarez Navarro, Victoria Azarenka, Johanna Konta, Fiona Ferro, Eugenie Bouchard, Sorana Christie, Donna Vekic and Caroline Wozniacki.
It will officially kickstart on the 27th of April. Fans can actually watch their favourite tennis star playing from the comfort of their homes. It is certainly an innovative idea that might encourage other tournaments to follow a similar approach towards the sport.
