ATP250 ‘not worth’ investment without Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal backing, says Marseille chief
The tournament director of the Marseille Open says ‘it’s not worth’ trying to grow the tournament without the backing of a top player such as Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal.
Marseille is an ATP250, the fourth tear of regular-season tour competitions after Grand Slams, Masters, and ATP500.
2020 looks like being a strong year for the competition, with Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas headlining, but that’s still not enough to grow the event, says Jean-Francois Caujolle.
“It is rather the passion, the pleasure which takes precedence,” he told we Love Tennis about why he continues to run the event.
“The ATP asked me to switch to a 500 category, I rejected. I should have put a million and a half more, so much money that I could not put in guarantee anymore.
“Of course, I want to please myself as a fan of the game and so to bring Murray, Djokovic, Federer or Nadal, I fight for that!
“And if any of them could call me one morning and say, ‘I want to play your tournament’, it would be fabulous.
“Because of this type of players, it is not me calling them, it does not work like that.
“If my tournament does not fit in their calendar, it’s not even worth it.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz forced to accept brutal reality as he slumps to shock Miami Open defeat
Carlos Alcaraz could have no complaints as he was forced to accept the brutal reality that he was beaten by a better player.
-
Tennis News
Alexander Zverev just happy to be back competing against the best
Alexander Zverev has said that he savours being competitive in big tournaments.
-
Tennis News
WTA star announces that she is expecting a baby girl
Alison Riske-Amritraj will be having a daughter.
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner breaks new ground for an Italian player with $20 million milestone
Jannik Sinner will become the first Italian player to bank $20 million in ATP Tour prize money after the Miami Open.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz identifies key Grigor Dimitrov threat as he seeks revenge in Miami showdown
Carlos Alcaraz and Grigor Dimitrov have looked ahead to their Miami Open match.
-
WTA Tour
Charleston Open hand former No 1 wildcard to start her clay season
Wildcards were forthcoming for former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, world No 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Charleston-native Shelby Rogers.
-
Tennis News
Former world No 1 weighs in on Iga Swiatek’s ‘aura’ as he makes ‘intimidating’ claim
“The more accomplishments Iga Swiatek has, the more intimidating it is to play her.”
-
WTA Tour
Naomi Osaka’s clay swing fills out with Rouen wildcard
Naomi Osaka gets Rouen wildcard to kickstart her clay swing.
-
WTA Tour
Danielle Collins balks at being asked to explain retirement
Danielle Collins has responded to those who question why she has decided to retire from tennis at the end of the current season.
-
Tennis News
‘Novak Djokovic’s problem is psychological’, assesses Roger Federer’s former coach
“Undoubtedly, ‘Nole’ must have fire inside, otherwise he is missing something.”