SP Open will end a 25-year fast without events of this level in Sao Paulo, will be played on the hard courts of Villa-Lobos Park
Officially launched on Tuesday (3), the SP Open wants to bring at least one “big international name” to its first edition, to be held in September this year, in Villa-Lobos Park. The “star”, however, should only be known a month before the event, scheduled to start on the 6th in São Paulo. , one of the greatest tennis players in the country’s history, is already the right name in the main key. The event, however, should not count on the top 10, because in short, the rules of WTA will make the ranking Top 10 tennis players, such as Belarussa and Polish, choose to play in Guadalajara. “The process of choosing international athletes is a bit complex because they cannot be at the top 10 of the Deadline ranking, on the date of the key definition, 30 days before the start of the event,” explains Lui. One bet is Japanese Naomi Osaka, current 49th in the world. The SP Open will have 32 Tenns on the main key, 24 in Qualifying and 16 pairs at Villa-Lobos, park used to hosting smaller tennis events in recent decades. Qualifying will be played on September 6 and 7 and the main key between 8 and 14.
By WTA rules, events 1000 and 500 prevail over those of level 250. In practice, ranking tennis players should prioritize competitions with the most points in dispute. This is because, throughout the calendar, various tournaments, from different levels, are played in the same weeks. This is the case of SP Open, to be held between September 8 and 14. In the Brazilian tournament week, the circuit calendar also provides for the dispute of a WTA 500 in Guadalajara, Mexico. And this Mexican competition, also on a hard court, should concentrate most of the world’s leading tennis players, at least in theory – the two competitions take place shortly after US Open, a Grand Slam, which is usually more exhausting. Generally, many tennis players choose to rest after competitions of this size.
Among the Brazilian women, the only guaranteed in the main key is Bia Haddad, for her good position in the ranking: is the current 23rd. However, they will also be in the competition:
- Luisa Stefani
- Laura Pigossi
- Ingrid Martins
- Carol Meligeni
- Tauhany vitoria
- Victoria Barros
In addition to Bia, the others can go through invitations, both in the main key and qualifying. But the director of the tournament keeps caution. “Invitations are neither confirmed in the main key nor in Qualifying we will wait to see who will be ready for the key,” he says, in reference to Juveniles Naná Silva and Victoria Barros.
How will SP open?
SP Open will end a 25-year fast without events of this level in Sao Paulo, will be played on the hard courts of Villa-Lobos Park. The organization will use six of the seven blocks from the public park for games and training. A structure, similar to the Open River at the Brazilian Jockey Club, will be assembled on site, forming a complex, with tickets and exits, with ticket charges. The complex is expected to receive up to 5,000 people per day between Monday and Thursday, the week of the event. In total, the organization estimates to reach 30,000 people throughout the week. “The system will be similar to the Open River: Monday to Thursday, there will be two entrance sessions. Friday, Saturday and Sunday will have a single session. From Monday to Thursday, we will be able to put 5,000 people in the complex. And between Friday and Sunday, we will see yet,” says the event director.
The central court will be able to host 2,500 tennis fans the event will have two more blocks, to also host games. And three others only for players’ training. To this end, all will be renovated to SP Open, which is committed to the park. There is no date yet to start selling tickets. But the organization ensures that marketing will start later this month, in the second half. “We hope that tickets will run out quickly because of the demand for tennis in Brazil,” says the director of the tournament, who is also responsible for Rio Open.
*With information from Estadão Content
Posted by Sarah Paula
