Tennis in Brazil faces a challenge in taking on the might of football, but organizers of the Rio Open tournament being held in the city this week believe the sport is set for expansion in the country. Having returned for a second year, the open is the biggest tennis tournament in South America, and is the only combined men’s ATP World Tour 500 and women’s WTA International competition in the region.
“It is already raising the profile of the sport in Brazil and Latin America,” says tournament director Luiz Carvalho, who is also on the Rio 2016 organising committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games tennis events. Ticket sales for the clay court tournament are up roughly 20% on last year, with six out of 11 playing sessions sold out. The 33-year-old says spectators have come from across the continent, not just Brazil, with holiday visitors to the Rio Carnival – held in the city earlier this week – also attending.
Reigning holder Nadal is joined by his countrymen David Ferrer and Tommy Robredo as seeds two and three, and the men and women’s playing fields also include a number of home and regional favourites.
The winners of the singles events pick up $343,000 (£223,000) each and the doubles winners $101,310, with $1.5m total prize money.
The event, held at the private Rio Jockey Club in the shadow of Sugar Loaf Mountain, is produced by sports promoters IMX, who say they have a long-term commitment to hosting the tournament.
“We are getting high-profile coverage on TV and the front of magazines – the more we market the sport, then more people will consume and play tennis,” says Mr Carvalho, a former pro circuit player who reached a world high position of 868 in 2000. He says that as well as being a sporting and social event, the tennis tournament also serves as an important networking venue, with the upmarket Corcovado Club on the site offering hospitality facilities for 1,000 people.
“Our sponsors and VIPs can get together to do business around the tennis,” says the 33-year-old. “Many chief executives of big firms also play tennis, so we have them attending too.”
Nadal’s participation is his first return to action since his Australian Open quarter-final defeat to Tomas Berdych. Given his attraction with the crowds, how much of a problem would it be if he does not go all the way to the final?
“It is true that the more Rafa plays, the more buzz he creates,” says Mr Carvalho. “He is one of the top of his sport… but an upset would be ok for us.
“The tournament is not dependent on him. We have more to offer than one player.”
On pins and needles for the Rio Open, Brazil
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