The Spanish tennis player and director of the Mutua Madrid Open, Feliciano López, assured that there is “a small chance” that the Madrid tournament will be held at the “end of the year”, although he acknowledged that it is a “small” option without offering the hypothetical dates of the only Masters 1000 that is held in Spain.
The toledano regretted that the Mutua Madrid Open cannot be held at these dates, it was scheduled from May 1 to 10, but he left the door open for a calendar readjustment at the end of the season. “There is a small chance that it will be held at the end of the year. It is small,” Feliciano said in his interview on Antena 3's 'El Hormiguero'.
“If we can't do it, it will be next year. We are very sad, but everyone has been very understanding with the decision. From the players, sponsors, etc., because the first thing is health, “added the director of the Mutua Madrid Open, whose position premiered last year giving the replacement to the legendary Manolo Santana.
Further, Feliciano López highlighted the “great job” he has had these days with the organization of the virtual tournament that Murray and Bertens have won. “We did a tournament that has been a great success with top-level players playing from home. Bertens is the current royal champion. He has won it in both ways, “he stressed.
On the other hand, the manchego player said that he does not trust that tennis can recover its activity soon. “I'm not very positive because tennis has a big problem that other sports don't have. It is a very global sport. Players from many different countries take part in the same tournament, “he said.
“The world needs to be completely open so that all tennis players can move freely. We have to be sure that we can all compete equally of conditions. It would not be fair for a Spanish, for example, to travel to a tournament and an American, no. I think that tennis players will be one of the last to regain activity, “he settled.
Finally, the current Davis Cup champion was asked about how he is living the confinement in this time of coronavirus. “One of the positive things that I have learned has been enjoying being at home more than two weeks in a row. It is something that I have not been able to do for 20 years in my life. I want to get something good out of this difficult moment, “he said.