Will the King of Clay be King of the Couch?
Although there will be no actual Mutua Madrid Open this spring because of the coronavirus pandemic, it will be played virtually in late April. Rafael Nadal, who is a five-time champion of the tournament in real life and also no slouch when it comes to video games, joined the field on Saturday.
“From the confinement and with the encouragement that we’re giving ourselves, I am pleased to take part in the virtual match in Madrid,” the second-ranked Spaniard said, “and like in any other case I’ll attempt to give it my all. I don’t know the way it will be, however I hope to be with you and really feel your help as I play at house, this time virtual.”
John Isner, Kiki Bertens, and Fiona Ferro also confirmed their participation. Andy Murray, Lucas Pouille, Angelique Kerber, and Carla Suarez Navarro were already on the list.
“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,” tournament director Feliciano López said. “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 organized 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.”
“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,” ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi commented. “This is a win-win for all…. 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.”
“The WTA would like to thank and recognize the event for putting this initiative together,” WTA chairman Steve Simon added. “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.”
The April 27-30 festivities will see 16 players divided into groups of four, with the champion and runner-up of each quartet advancing to the quarterfinals for a knockout stage.
Nadal has this on lockdown
(pun intended)
Can’t wait!
Better than nothing. Maybe. They should give David Ferrer a wild card. He’s pretty good with video games. Juan Monaco too. He and Rafa could play doubles. Or Rafa and Marc Lopez.
Interesting perspective on the #MMOPEN pic. Rafa looks taller than Isner.
Great idea! I don’t know anything about video games; I take it this is a recognized game. Which one is it? I wonder how the player who wins the tournament would do against an experienced gamer.
I believe they’re going to use Tennis World Tour. Lots of pro players play video games. Rafa played a lot when he was younger, mostly soccer and car racing. So did Andy Murray, Carlos Moya (Rafa said Moya was the best at soccer), Juan Monaco and David Ferrer that I know about. But I’d be surprised if any of them play a tennis video game on a regular basis. Rafa has played tennis games – he said once that he liked to play as “Roger” because the game was programmed so that as “Rafa” he could only run along the baseline.
I am clueless as to whether the players will have to use their preprogrammed game “personae” or will be allowed to customize a player or how it will work since I’ve never played TWT.