The Madrid Open, like so many other tennis events, has been recent casualty of the Coronavirus pandemic. But the event, scheduled from May 1 to 10, has pivoted to virtual gaming as a remedy.
The tournament has announced the creation of the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro, an innovative tournament that will be a virtual replica of the tennis competition, using the Tennis World Tour video game, with the world’s biggest tennis stars squaring off from their own homes.
And there is real prize money to be won!
Here’s more, from the tournament:
"The Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro will take place over four days, from 27 to 30 April, in a show of solidarity to raise money and help the tennis players most in need during this time, all those that have no income to help them through these months of inactivity, and those affected by Covid-19.
To do so, the tournament will include a purse of 150,000 euros in both draws (ATP and WTA), from which the winners will be able to decide on how much they donate to the tennis players currently suffering economically, and an additional 50,000 euros that will all go towards reducing the social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic."
The tournament says fans will be able to follow along on line and on TV.
“All fans will be able to follow the tournament online, on television and on the Mutua Madrid Open’s social media, with a spectacular production that will include commentary on all the matches, analysis and highlights programs and interviews with the winners after each match,” the tournament said in a statement. “The Mutua Madrid Open organisation will soon announce the list of participants, as well as other news on the competition.”