From Andy Murray to Boris Becker, everyone wants a Masters 1000 in South America: what should happen to make it possible

Andy Murray launched the weekend in Twitter a special idea: that the South American clay circuit, formed today by the ATP 250 of Córdoba, Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile and the 500 of Rio de Janeiro, has its Masters 1000. And his proposal, far from be lost The immense world of social networks has generated a great movement in the tennis field. The Scot’s words were supported by many Argentinians and South Americans and even a couple of racket heavyweights.

“Unpopular opinion: South America should have its own tour with its own Masters 1000. The way the fans support the tournaments is incredible. Incredible environments and tennis is clearly part of their culture. Go ATP!” wrote the former number 1 and winner of three Slams.

“Why unpopular!? “You’re absolutely right, Andy,” the German replied with conviction. Boris Becker. “Tennis should go to the countries/continents where it is booming…”, concluded the man who also managed to occupy the top step of the rankings and won six Major.

John IsnerEven , who experienced firsthand the warmth of the South American fans a few years ago, took the Briton’s side.

“A Masters in South America would create an atmosphere of madness“, said the American, who played in 2016 in Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro.

That year in the Buenos Aires tournament, he had a batting average of selfie with several Argentine juniors, including Sebastiano Baez AND Mariano Navonechampion and finalist of the Rio tournament last week, and Thiago Tirante, brand new Argentine top 100. Journalist Marco Zugasti reposted the photo after Isner’s support of Murray’s tweet. And the image reached the American who: “It’s incredible.”

In these latitudes there were different voices that applauded the British proposal, from Javier Franapassing through Diego Schwartzmann, Federico Coria AND Federico Delbonisalso the Brazilian Fernando Meligeni and Bolivian Hugo Dellien.

“Let the ATP know, Andy! Every year they give us less support. Not only because of the way the fans support the tournaments, but also because of how many players we have and those we have had at the top. We deserve more than this from the ATP. “Thanks for your words!” stated the Not much.

Is it possible to think about the South American tour with a Masters 1000? Regardless of Murray’s desire, it seems unlikely, at least in the short term. First of all for a question of surface area, which would be the biggest obstacle to achieving it (if one day the ATP decided to try).

Having a Masters 1000 (mandatory category for the best) on clay in February would force players to move from the hard courts of the Australian tour that opens each season to the slow courts of South America, and then return to the hard ones for Indian wells AND You love me.

One solution, much appreciated by internet users, would be to bring the American Masters forward to February, to give continuity to the competition on hard courts, and move the dust competitions to March, as a prelude to those that will be held in this category from April. of camps being prepared for Roland Garros. Even if this would imply a historic – and too large – change in the calendar.

But also none of the four cities that host the Golden swing it seems ready to host an event of that level in the near future, the second in importance after a Slam. You only have to review the infrastructure needs – a center court for 10,000 spectators, a second stadium for three thousand and one more for a thousand, for example – to realize that it would be a difficult task to achieve for any of these four tournaments. .

Cordoba AND Santiago Today they think more about confirming continuity than dreaming of promotion. Buenos Aires -which usually brings together big international stars (this year they played Carlos Alcaraz, Cameron Norrie AND Stan Wawrinkaamong others) – continues to aim to become a 500 and has recently signed a contract until 2033 with the BALTC, a club that, for space reasons, was unable to grow enough to host a Masters 1000. Perhaps Rio could aim for that category, which could also help the Buenos Aires tournament get back on its feet. We will have to see if, if the opportunity arises, we have the financial commitment and desire to do it.

In any case, there are no indications (nor have there been lately) that the ATP wants to add a new Masters 1000, especially at a time when the association is trying to reduce the number of events on the calendar so as not to saturate the public. players with competition. . Among other things, a few months ago there were rumors that Saudi Arabia wanted to organize a tournament of that level, but it was rumored that to do so it would have had to “steal” the license from some of the nine already existing ones.

Murray’s idea caught on. From Schwartzman to Becker they celebrated the proposal. But the reality of the circuit suggests that, at least for now, a dusty Masters 1000 in South America is a utopia.