The Punta Open is the first ATP Challenger Tour tournament of 2018, one of the main international professional tennis circuits, to be played between February 24 and March 3 in Punta Del Este. Supported by the Uruguayan Ministry of Tourism, more than 50 renowned players will compete for the 80 ATP points, as well as $ 50,000 in prizes at the Cantegrill Country Club.
“Punta del Este is the ideal setting for a professional ATP tournament, it brings together the possibility of practicing good sports and fun in a relaxed way,” explained the organizer, Uruguayan tennis player Marcel Felder. The summer weather accompanies, “the proximity to the beach and other tourist attractions allows you to go out for a walk and enjoy in the hours off, “he said.
The expectation is high, given that it is the first, with a projection to enter the annual calendar of the ATP, expect between 2 thousand and 3 thousand people throughout the week, who will witness 32 individual matches and 32 in double. The vast majority of players come from Europe, Argentina, Bolivia and three are Uruguayans: Martín Cuevas, Santiago Maresca and Nicolás Xiviller.
Serbian tennis players who participated in the Davis Cup earlier this month were confirmed by Laslo Djere (their best ATP ranking was 85), Pedja Krstin and Mijan Zekic; the Portuguese Pedro Sousa (his best ranking was 102), the Italian Simone Bolelli (reached 36th position in the ATP ranking). Also playing other players who competed in regional groups such as the Colombian Daniel Galán and Alejandro Gonzalez, the Dominican Jose Hernandez, the Ecuadorian Roberto Quiroz and the Bolivian Hugo Dellien, referents of their respective countries.
The idea arose from Felder after having participated in numerous tournaments. “Always playing and evaluating what goes right or wrong; I had dreamed of organizing an event my way and inviting the great players – who are among the best in the world – and in Punta del Este I found this place, “Felder said. “In addition to this type of tournament is a good opportunity to inspire the new generations, to be successful in this sporting modality requires a lot of practice, talent and fitness, added discipline and winning head,” added the tournament’s founder. communication Uruguay Natural.
Uruguay currently has player Pablo Cuevas, ranked 35th in the ATP ranking. “This is spectacular because it is very difficult to reach that level,” says Felder. Uruguay has already had three players positioned in the championship, currently among the representatives of the new generation are: Martín Cuevas (brother of Pablo) the 300th in the world, Santiago Maresca and Nicolás Xiviller.
Dispute with the stars
On March 2 will be a soccer-tennis match played by Uruguayan players Antônio Pacheco, Álvaro “Chino” Recoba and the outstanding tennis players Nicolás Almagro and Pedro Sousa. Those who are there also can not lose on March 3rd at 7:30 p.m. one of the main matches will be played, between favorites: Gastón Gaudio, Nicolás Massu, Mariano Zabaleta and Marcel Felder.
The Cantegrill
The Cantegrill is an emblematic sports space of Punta Del Este and Uruguay as a whole. In terms of tennis, it housed all the Challengers of Punta del Este played in history, many Davis Cup series and numerous tournaments of crazy and international youth circuits.
Useful Information
Value of tickets: from Monday to Thursday $ 320, Friday: $ 460 and Saturday: $ 600 and for the entire week: $ 1800
Tickets can be purchased at: https://redtickets.uy/servlet/com.redtickets2.verevento?574
More info: https://www.puntaopen.com/
Structure
The tournament will feature a food court with foodtrucks, bar and live music, plus a VIP lounge, both of which will work from 6pm.
Photos: Press release