Nadal To Play Initial Rio Open

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 18th September 2013

Nadal To Play Initial Rio Open

epa03866366 Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal waves after defeating Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky during the Davis Cup play-off round match between Spain and Ukraine at the Caja Magica in Madrid, central Spain, 13 September 2013. EPA/EMILIO NARANJO |

It’s a simple fact of life in the current tennis economy that if you want to make a success of something new then it’s probably a good idea to have Rafael Nadal involved.

This is especially true, if it’s an event in a Latin country. So the news that the reigning US Open and French Open champion, and by then quite possibly world no.1, will be in Rio de Janeiro, from February 15 through the 23, to play South American’s biggest tennis event, the inaugural Rio Open, shouldn’t come as a surprise.

The Rio Open is a combined ATP World Tour 500 Series and a WTA International status tournament and the only real eyebrow raiser about Nadal’s involvement is it is co-owned by EBX and the Majorcan’s former management company, IMG Worldwide. The event is being marketed under the banner of IMX, an amalgam of the two companies.

Since splitting from IMG earlier this year to play independently under the management of Carlos Costa, Nadal has avoided events owned by the company, most noticeably the Sony Open in Miami.

But Nadal, who this February won titles in Acapulco and Sao Paolo, said: “I am looking forward to playing for the first time ever in Rio de Janeiro. I have heard so much about the city, and now I will finally have the opportunity to be there. All around the world, when I play, I can feel the love of the Brazilian people.”

And showing an awareness of tennis politics, Nadal added: “It’s very important for South American tennis that we finally have an ATP World Tour 500 event. It’s a great victory for Brazil.”

Nadal will be joined at the Rio Open by fellow Spaniard, David Ferrer. The tournament has therefore confirmed two of the top 4 players in the ATP rankings and the 2 French Open finalists. Nadal won his 8th crown in Paris defeating Ferrer in the final match.

IMX Sports’ Vice President Marcia Casz enthused: “Nadal is one of greats of the history of the sport. His commitment to play the Rio Open already states that the event is aiming to be one of the most important of the ATP World Tour and that the Wonderful City of Rio de Janeiro attracts the biggest stars of the planet, especially on the way to the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games.

“Having already confirmed David Ferrer, a couple of months ago, we will have the Roland Garros champion and runner-up competing here.”

The Rio Open will boast total prize money of $US1.5 million ($1.25 million for the men’s event and $ 250,000 for the women’s) and will be staged on the eight clay courts of the Jockey Club Brasileiro.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Atp, David Ferrer, Rafael Nadal, Rio Open, Tennis, Tennis News