An international tennis tournament in Cagliari between Madrid and Rome: it's called Sardegna Open and it's a new formula that will be inaugurated on the island before starting a European tour. Technically it is a challenger, but it gives 175 points and ensures prize money plus others, very close to the classic ATP tournaments. And it's open to everyone: even the top ten can participate. « After the internationals in Rome and the ATP finals in Turin - said the president of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation Angelo Binaghi during the official presentation in Cagliari - it is the most important tournament taking place in Italy . And it's not a spot event: it will be a fixed appointment. Sardinia has never hosted events of this level».
It begins on May 1st and ends on the 7th . It will be played on the red clay courts of the Cagliari Tennis Club. Who will take the field is still a question mark. «Let's say that the location - said the tournament director Paolo Lorenzi - is strategic: the best 70-80 players in the world are playing in Madrid. And those who leave the tournament early usually don't sit still: to prepare for the Rome Internationals, they will probably be able to play in Cagliari. The blues? I can't wish them to play in Cagliari because this would mean an early exit from Madrid. But let's say that in general there are the conditions for the presence of big names in international tennis». It will be the premium event of the newborn Challenger 175 category. Once the Super Challenger in Cagliari is over, the champions will move onto the clay courts of the Foro Italico in Rome to start the new era of the Internazionali Bnl d'Italia, the first edition spread over two weeks and with tables of 96 players. During the second week of the Roman tournament, the 'Tour of passion' will stop in Turin, for the Challenger 175 "Piemonte Open Intesa San Paolo", and in Florence, for a new appointment on the WTA 125 circuit. The traditional WTA appointment in Palermo while in September, for the second consecutive year, Bologna will embrace the Davis Cup.
The funding from the Region is 450,000 euros. «The World padel tour will also return soon - anticipated the regional councilor for Tourism Gianni Chessa - while in October we await the boats of the America's cup. We have forty sporting events, twenty which award world titles, which for us mean a great driving force for off-season tourism». Also present was the mayor of Cagliari Paolo Truzzu who underlined the coincidence with the feast of Sant'Efisio, on May 1st. Nicola Pietrangeli, ambassador of Italian tennis in the world, recalled his matches in Cagliari: «Against Hungary - he said - there is a photo that portrays me at the net: in the background there is a boy watching, the president Angelo Binaghi".
Tennis club ready to host the event: « We are growing - said the president of TC Cagliari Renato Salvatore Arba - before the Sardinian tennis players went away to improve. Now they are also coming to Cagliari from India to refine their preparation».
