“The ball doesn’t hit, I hope this tournament doesn’t happen again”: the embarrassing state of the court at the Chile Open

After the brilliant ATPs in Buenos Aires and Rio, Andy Murray exploded a bomb that created a climate of euphoria in the world of tennis that is experienced with passion in this part of the world: “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. On with the ATP!” But a week later, a slap arrived from the other side of the Andes which, perhaps, will bring us back to reality.

The fourth tournament of the South American tour showed a huge contrast to the first three: “This track is a disgrace“, we hear in Chile outraged by the state of the ATP 250 court in Santiago.

“The ball doesn’t hit. This isn’t tennis,” they say. And it’s literal. The almost surreal situation was seen in the match between the Spaniard Roberto Carballés Baena and the French Corentin Moutet. The Iberian served 30-40, the Frenchman responded and the ball did not hit, as if it had fallen into a muddy pasture.

Visibly upset, the one born in Tenerife 30 years ago turned to the ATP supervisor and asked for a change of court, but had no luck.

After the defeat against the Frenchman, the Spaniard couldn’t find words to describe the situation: “What do you want me to tell you: that the tournament is shit? That you can’t play on this pitch…”.

“It seems to me a shame that an ATP is being played on this court, it is dangerous for the players. I hope this tournament doesn’t happen again.. That’s not tennis, in the end it becomes a lottery. You are constantly afraid of getting injured and, on top of that, you have bounces that the ball doesn’t bounce at all. I had the feeling that I might get injured, because every time I was forced to, I was afraid to squeeze my leg because it would sink.”

With the victory in his pocket, the 140th-ranked Frenchman was more “polite”: “It’s not the best course in the world, but I come from the future. I remember that when I started playing tennis the courts were much worse, without new balls. Conditions here are good. I’m honest: it’s not the best pitch, but it’s the same for both players and we have to do our best.”

The situation is so obvious that not even the Chileans themselves can defend their tournament: “I don’t like to say it, but I think it’s the worst court I’ve played on at ATP level. With the court in this state, anyone can win,” accepted. Cristian Garín.

In addition to the defeat, Roberto Carballés Baena highlighted the possibility of injury due to the state of the track. And the image of the Brazilian Joao Fonseca is eloquent. In the match with Thiago Tirante, the native of Rio invited to the ATP in Santiago for his good performance in Rio, he locked his ankle and twisted it involuntarily. When he stood up, he kicked the relief angrily, sending it tumbling in the brick dust.