Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro's first players:Murray, Kerber, Pouille, Suarez Navarro

“If not onsite, then online,” is the slogan of the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro. Since the professional Tours suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic prevent the Mutua Madrid Open from taking place on its scheduled dates, the directing team of the Spanish tournament chose to hold a virtual competition in its stead. According to what the event has promised its fans on social media, “The biggest ATP and WTA stars will square off from their homes in the unique competition.”

The first four players that will participate were revealed on April 9. In the men’s branch, Andy Murray and Lucas Pouille have taken on the challenge, while Angelique Kerber and Carla Suarez Navarro are the first confirmed names of the women’s draw.

More news! 😎 @andy_murray, @AngeliqueKerber, @CarlaSuarezNava and @la_pouille are playing in the #MMOPEN Virtual Pro! 🎮 What do you think of the first competitors? 🔝#PlayAtHome pic.twitter.com/t4y7wd38Ba

— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) April 9, 2020

“This is going to be very exciting and challenging,” Pouille wrote in response to the tournament’s tweet. “I started practicing already, because I want to win this event against my fellow players who, I know, some of them play a lot. Thank you to the Mutua Madrid Open for this great initiative!”

Suarez Navarro was probably every bit as excited as the French when she wrote her own reply: “Delighted to participate in the #MMOPEN Virtual Pro! Looking forward to meeting my rivals…” The event will take place from April 27 to 30, so the rest of the draw will presumably be uncovered in the following days.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3b2zUWp