The Mutua Madrid Open Announces Exciting News For Tennis Deprived Fans

The 2020 Mutua Madrid Open has made a big announcement that puts the tournament in a league of its own. Realizing that fans are dying to watch some tennis, the event has found a way to give them their dose of the sport.

Albeit, it will be in a virtual mode. Yes, the players around the world will be squaring off in the video game with their racquets being replaced by game controllers. The event will take place over four days from 27th to 30th April.

The format will be simple. 16 singles players each will be competing in the ATP and WTA draws in groups of four each. Top two players from each group will proceed to the quarter-finals followed by the semis and the finals played in the knock out format.

However, the conception of the tournament is very noble. The event seeks to help those tennis players who have no other means of income in this time of deepening crisis. There will be a purse of 150,000 euros in both the ATP and the WTA draws.

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From this, the winners will be able to decide the amount that they want to contribute towards economically suffering players. An additional 50000 Euros will go towards reducing the social impact of COVID-19. Let’s find out what Tournament director Feliciano Lopez and other stakeholders had to say about the decision.

What did the Madrid Open stakeholders say about this big decision? 

This is what Feliciano Lopez had to say –

Since we announced that the Mutua Madrid Open would not take place on the dates planned, we have been working on ideas for bringing tennis to the fans. The birth of the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro highlights the tournament’s technological, youthful and innovative side, which has been one of its hallmarks since it began in 2009 and it is fitting for the current circumstances. We have organised a tournament for the professional players that is as true to the conventional Mutua Madrid Open as possible, without them having to leave their homes. And its goal is not just to entertain; we want to do our bit during this period, which is so difficult for everyone”.

Feliciano Lopez further added that this is all to help the larger tennis community.

The ATP director Andrea Gaudenzi also had things to say –

The Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro will be a first-of-its-kind for the ATP Tour, providing an exciting and new way for players and fans to connect and engage with our sport. This is a win-win for all – the Mutua Madrid Open, the players, and the fans. We are particularly pleased that funds raised from this initiative will contribute towards supporting the wider playing group, which is critical during these challenging times”.

WTA chairman Steve Simon added –

“The Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro is a unique and creative way of engaging the WTA athletes and their fans during this unprecedented time. The WTA would like to thank and recognize the event for putting this initiative together. We look forward to the virtual game, which can serve as a fun source of entertainment while at the same helping to bridge a gap until live tennis returns, while also providing opportunities to help those players in need during this challenging time.”

What do you think about this interesting decision?