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In 2017 and 2018, the Austrian tennis player Dominic Thiem was in the final of the Madrid Open, 2019 was semi-final. Starting Monday, the third in the world ranking will have a new chance to win the tournament. This time, however, the game will not be played on the field in Spain, but rather due to the coronavirus pandemic on the Playstation 4 console within its own four walls.
The organizers made a virtue of necessity and decided after the cancellation of the clay court event planned between May 1 and 10 for the premiere of a virtual tournament with a high-level professional cast. “I am looking forward to the tournament. Of course, it will not be the same as if we were playing against each other on the field, but it is a great initiative, “said Thiem.
Although he has a lot of experience on the Playstation, he has never participated in this tournament. “I really want my first game, it will be a great thing,” said the Austrian bass. The adventure doesn’t start for the 26-year-old on the Monday before 6.30 p.m., the opponent is American John Isner. Other competitors in Group 2 are his Argentine friend Diego Schwartzman and the Spanish David Ferrer.
The first two advance to the quarterfinals. This is also the case in the remaining three groups, where superstar Rafael Nadal, two-time Madrid winner Andy Murray, Gael Monfils, Denis Shapovalov (the 1), Stefanos Tsitsipas, Fabio Fognini, Kei Nishikori, Frances Tiafoe (the 3 ), Alexander Zverev, David Goffin, Lucas Pouille and Karen Khachanov (all 4) play. Unlike in real life, no main favorite can be distinguished. Five-time Madrid winner Nadal sees himself as a loser. “So far I have only finished one game on the console,” revealed world number two.
The group stage will be completed on Tuesday, followed by the quarterfinals on Wednesday, the semifinals and the final on Thursday. At the same time, there is also a very busy women’s tournament, in which the field is led by Karolina Pliskova, who is third. Exhibition matches will also be held, in which e-athletes will also showcase their skills. The tournament can be followed live on the Facebook page of Playstation Spain and on the home page of the Madrid Open.
150,000 euros in prizes will be distributed in male and female competitions. Winners can decide how much of this they will make available to tennis players who have had financial difficulties due to the crown crisis. In addition, € 50,000 will be allocated to the Madrid Food Bank to help curb Covid-19 lung disease. “Our goal is not only to entertain, we also want to help a little in such a difficult time for everyone,” said tournament director Feliciano López.
The men’s and women’s professional tour has been suspended since mid-March and at least until mid-July. The first positive news for Thiem of government approval of on-court training for professional athletes was seen on Monday. Lichtenwörther moved his training place to Alt Erlaa in Vienna and completed the first units there.
Tournament practice for the Australian Open finalist could be back in May. On May 25, a series of crown-fulfilling national tournaments begins, in which the Austrian flagship must begin. In addition to Alexander Antonitsch and Jürgen Melzer, who will also play himself, Thiem’s father Wolfgang is also responsible for the organization. In addition to the two players, only one referee will be present on the court during games.
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