Murray calls for Masters event in South America
In a social media post on
by Dietmar Kaspar
last edit: Feb 25, 2024, 07:42 pm
Due to the sand surface on which the tournaments in South America are currently played, former world number one Andy Murray gives events such as those in Cordoba or Rio de Janeiro a wide berth. In Doha, the Scot had just celebrated his first win of the season in the 250cc tournament against Frenchman Alexandre Muller before he was narrowly defeated by 18-year-old surprise finalist Jakub Mensik from the Czech Republic after almost three and a half hours in a dramatic match .
But even from a distance, the 36-year-old cannot fail to notice what a fantastic atmosphere there is in the spectator stands at the tournaments in South America this year, especially when the local heroes compete. From his own experience, the two-time Wimbledon champion is still very much aware of the events surrounding his second Olympic singles victory, which he won in Rio in 2016.
“Tennis is clearly part of their sporting culture,” said the three-time Grand Slam champion, full of praise for the South American fans, to whom he would like the ATP to host a Masters event on their continent in the future: “Unpopular opinion. South America should have its own swing with its own Masters series. The way the fans support the tournaments there is incredible.”
Murray receives support from other former tennis greats. Boris Becker commented on X: “Why unpopular? You are absolutely correct in your opinion, Andy. Tennis should come to the countries/continents where tennis is booming…”. John Isner also has a clear opinion on this topic: “I support it. A Masters series in South America would create an incredible atmosphere.”
For the world number 50. he continues away from the South American continent at the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai, where he will meet Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the first round.
Here is the individual tableau in Dubai