“We did not imagine a Davis in Madrid with empty stands”

It's hard to imagine a summer without tennis, without clay, without emotions in the stands or at least on television. But the coronavirus, for the moment, maintains ATP and WTA circuits stopped until August 1. What to do then? Answers Miguel Diaz, President of the Spanish Tennis Federation: “Create the MAPFRE League. With the borders closed it was going to be difficult for an ATP, WTA or ITF tournament to take place (International Federation) until August or September. Tennis players are used to playing all year round, so together with them we devised this series of tournaments. The hobbyist has monkey“

To recount the summer tour of the Navy, AS called in Connected, to the president of the RFET, a Davis Cup champion as Roberto Bautista and the doctor Ángel Ruiz-Cotorro, director of the Federation's medical services and the MAPFRE Clinic.

“The initiative is positive. Training with a target of five or six months is not the same as seeing it ahead in six or seven weeks. It makes us prepare more intensely. The League will serve us to shoot for the return to the circuit and also to return to mythical clubs, who are eager to see the Spanish tennis players and we to share moments with them “, launches Baptist, 12th in the world, who experienced confinement in Borriol (Castellón). He started the year in the ATP Cup in Australia, and then played Australia, Rotterdam and Dubai. The tour of the United States could no longer begin.

It was time to go home. And avoid the icho bug ’, something that Dr. Ruiz-Cotorro, the‘ angel ’of the Navy, did not achieve, who contracted the coronavirus and remained hospitalized for 17 days in which he received the support of some players whom he has had to encourage on many occasions. Now everyone should be careful when stepping on the tracks again. “When you have not competed for two months, the progression should be slow. I have spoken with the majority and they have been fulfilling their programs. They have acquired a base. And the important thing is that they can already program with a goal on July 10, there is time to arrive in the best conditions. But slowly, calmly, “warns the doctor, who has created a free counseling service for those affected by COVID in the clinic. Bautista follows him: “Even the calluses on my hands have disappeared!”

The first stop of the MAPFRE League will be on July 10 at CT Lleida. “We have looked for four venues that could be expanded if the hiatus continues. We are lucky to have nine top-100s ”, Díaz highlights. Madrid (with the club still to be defined, July 17-19), the Academia Equelite-Ferrero in Villena (Alicante), from 24 to 26, and the RCT Avilés (July 31-August 1) will be the other locations, although the order could change. Teledeporte will broadcast it live. And public attendance and its amount will depend on what the health authorities determine.

In addition to Bautista, Pablo Carreño (25º), Albert Ramos (41º), Pablo Andújar (53º), Alejandro Davidovich (97º) or Roberto Carballés (99º) have shown their willingness to play.

And Rafa Nadal? The question is now directed to Ruiz-Cotorro, his personal physician. “Hopefully, we would all be excited. The League is a good expectation, it is a goal. But it will be your team that decides. It is a great opportunity for various cities to see their tennis players in a time when it was impossible. It is a great incentive for tennis, clubs and Spanish sports ”, he replies.

The MAPFRE League, which will have a final winner by points, will mix two formats. On the one hand, a normal table divided into quarters, semifinals and final. And on the other, a team competition with singles and doubles. “All accompanied by activities for club members and players in the region. The League will be a party this summer ”, adds the president.

“I haven't played in those clubs for many years. Like my colleagues, I have traveled many kilometers in Spain to climb to this level. I am very excited to return to those places. To Lleida, where I played the National cadet. Or Avilés, where I won a junior tournament. I have great memories and keep friends of partners and managers. We will have a good time, ”says Bautista with enthusiasm.

The pique between colleagues and friends is thus assured. “We are very competitive, and nobody likes to lose. There is time to get in shape and we will surely give the maximum. I'm going to take these tournaments as a continuation of training, “says Bautista.

It will also launch a women's league, with four tournaments. The RACE in Madrid and the Els Gorsch Tennis Club (Las Franquesas del Vallés, Barcelona) are already confirmed. “The cadres will be 24, to help more players, and the awards, important,” reports the president. The Federation, who pocketed a million euros with the Davis title in 2019, has allocated 600,000 to mount the tournaments and help the modest. “Those who are between 80 and 500 in the world will also have 12 tests of the IBP circuit with fixed and important prizes. Six male and six female. They need to continue in competition and there are many tennis players on that scale, young people who want to be professionals. There will be direct exchanges once the ATP and the WTA make theirs public, ”continues Díaz, referring to the fund that the two circuits will activate.

“On that background, I have not been asked. The decision has been made by the Players Council. But any help intended for those who will be our replacement is positive. There are people who cannot pay for their training, ”says number 12 in the world.

The League will be played on land. “It is the best to prevent injuries”, agrees Cotorro. “To feel pressure again is fabulous. And for that the best is the land, the stress of long spots … Ideal for picking up pace, “says Bautista, who is not optimistic about the ATP circuit: “I see it as very complicated. There are nearly 100,000 deaths in the United States and the return is scheduled for the tour there in August. If we play, it will be something exceptional, with everything under control. ”

“I wish there was a chance to get vaccinated because we could be calm, but I don't think it will come any time soon. We must get used to living for a time with the virus. When there is a vaccine, those who have not been infected will have to get it. If anyone does not want (Djokovic expressed his doubts), it is already a personal matter, “says the doctor.

The defense of Davis in Madrid (23-29 November), in which Bautista was essential, is also in danger, who was re-hooked after his father died in the heat of competition. “It is the world championship by nations, and after such a beautiful experience, playing without an audience would not be the same ”, he laments. “The public helped a lot to win the title, and I don't see a Davis with the stands empty ”, Imagine Díaz. “It is the competition with the most margin, but for there to be fans it would have to improve the pandemic in a very remarkable way. The next two or three months will be essential to define what the sport will be this year. I have some hope. Let's be sensible to improve more and more ”, adds Ruiz-Cotorro. At the moment, the most immediate is the Liga MAPFRE. A ray of light.