As the current COVID-19 pandemic marches on, the organizers of the Mutua Madrid Open joined a small list of sports federations in giving fans of tennis something to be excited about. On Friday, 32 players (16 men, 16 women) were entered into a draw to be matched in what was the first-ever play at home virtual tennis tournament. From the likes of Rafael Nadal who has been supporting his country of Spain to US Open champion Bianca Andreescu who looked to return to action last month before tournaments began to cancel due to health restrictions.
Each player received a Playstation 4 with the ability to connect to the internet to play against their opponents in the best of three-set match playing World Tennis Tour. Organizers found ways of implementing their venue with the help of game engineers to make this event possible.
WTA supervisor Giulia Orlandi began the draw with four groups of four players each. In group one world number three ranked Karolina Pliskova led the way with Belinda Bencic, Fiona Ferro, and Carla Suarez Navarro. Group Two consisted of world number five Elina Svitolina playing alongside Johanna Konta, Victoria Azarenka, and Sorana Cirstea.
Group Three saw world number six Bianca Andreescu of Canada playing with Madison Keys, Kristina Mladenovic, and Caroline Wozniacki who retired after the Australian Open but chose to contribute her love of tennis to the event. Group four saw world number seven at the top with Angelique Kerber, Donna Vekic, and Eugenie Bouchard.
Tournament director Feliciano Lopez oversaw the draw for the men’s tournament which saw Group One take shape. World number two Rafael Nadal was linked with Gael Monfils, Denis Shapavalov, and Andy Murray who has struggled to return to after recent hip surgery. Group Two consisted of two-time Madrid Open finalist Dominic Thiem playing with Diego Schwartzman, John Isner, and David Ferrer.
Group Three had 2019 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas competing virtually with Fabio Fognini, Kei Nishikori, and Frances Tiafoe. Group Four was led by Alexander Zverev David Goffin, Karen Khachanov, and Lucas Pouille. The tournament is set to begin Monday afternoon with the finals expected to be on Thursday. Like any match that takes place, there will be commentary, interviews with the players, and special guests such as ex-tennis players and well-known journalists of the sport.
While there would normally be prize money and points given out to improve individuals' current ranks, all 32 players have agreed to give 300,000 euros to players suffering economically from the effects of the virus. Tournament organizers have committed 50,000 euros to the Madrid Food Bank to help reduce the social impact of the pandemic.
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