It’s a battle that begins for the Masters 1000 at Paris-Bercy. Eager to expand, the Parisian tournament is looking for a way out at the Défense Arena. But Accor, owner of the venue and which wants to keep its jewel in its seraglio, does not see it that way. Should we really move the Masters to the Defense Arena? The answer is yes.
France is lucky to have two tennis tournaments in the same year. Two events which have a special place in the calendar of the greatest players on the planet. With Roland Garros and Paris-Bercy, everyone is rushing to come see Alcaraz, Djokovic or Dimitrov.
Except that the Masters 1000 does not benefit from all the advantages of Porte d’Auteuil. It’s quite the opposite and the constraints are increasingly difficult to maintain for the management of the Parisian tournament.
The exemption keeps the Masters 1000 at Paris-Bercy for the moment
In taking stock of the Parisian week, Cédric Pioline does not take it lightly. The tournament director even believes that the Paris-Bercy exception will end up burying the tournament.
“Historically, the tournament has always had an exemption issued annually by the ATP, because on courts 1 and 2, and on the doubles format (table of 24 teams instead of 28, editor’s note), we are not up to standard. The world is changing: what was accepted yesterday will no longer be accepted tomorrow. And by barely extrapolating, the risk is indeed to one day lose Masters 1000 status.”
« There was an unfortunate precedent with Hamburg: they switched to the ATP 500 and from the spring before Roland-Garros to July in the calendar. And they haven’t really recovered from it. This reflection therefore involves the future of the tournament over the next 15 years. »
For the first defender of the tournament, it is time for a deep reflection which has lasted too long. So much so that players are leaving the tournament because of haphazard programming.
Also read: the exclusive interview with Henri Leconte
Players complain about scheduling, spectators about waiting
In this small tennis cavern of the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Berçy, now Accor Arena, space problems have always existed. And in fact, they greatly handicap the solution of aligning with the Masters format. Beyond the simple question of regulations, it is also a real thorn in the side for players who play marathon matches on a surface that remains slow.
“We offered Sinner the possibility of switching to 1 if the central match lasted too long, he and his team refused. It’s their choicex” explained Pioline. Sinner then withdrew due to fatigue.
An additional element which highlights the few flaws of the Parisian tournament. Who is not at the end of his surprises with the public. Since in tennis there are daytime matches and night sessions which do not have the same ticketing.
Which forces fans to wait outside for the day’s matches to end. In fact, the public of the night shamelessly waits for long minutes. Which deeply annoys fans with matches that far exceed 2h30 of average play.
La Défense Arena, the ideal place to host the Masters 1000 in Paris?
Meanwhile, the Racing 92 venue appears to be the ideal place to welcome the biggest tennis stars. Very accessible and served on a strong axis of the Paris metro, the enclosure fits perfectly with the wishes of Parisian management.
Cédric Pioline did not hide it at the microphone of Eurosport during the tournament review in front of the press.
“We are probably cramped in the current conditions. It’s an event that needs to grow because it’s working extremely well.” In this idea, Paris-La Défense Arena, with its 4 competition courts, seems to hold the rope. “We would have all the facilities necessary for the organization of a Masters 1000 like the one in the format we know »
However, there is no question of copying and pasting the Masters regulations. Paris-Bercy is also unique in its layout. A choice argument for the management of world tennis not to come up against the Paris Masters.
“We have a particularity and an asset, which is that we are the only indoor Masters 1000. If anyone knows of a venue that can accommodate a combined event (male and female tables) and 7 covered competition courts with the different capacities imposed by the ATP, not to mention a certain number of training courts, it is welcome. I don’t know him »
The Accor Arena strikes back on the possible move of the Masters in 2025
Faced with the lively controversy surrounding a desired move for 2025, the management of the Accor Arena intends to defend its goose that lays the golden eggs. The managers of the famous French hotel group also responded in the columns of our colleagues at Eurosport.
“Last year, we had a very clear discussion with the FFT which asked us to meet the new requirements of the ATP, asking for more courts and capacity. We responded to these specifications in the spring of this year with a precise proposal: with a central court and three annex courts meeting standards in terms of size. » specifies Nicolas Dupeux, General Manager of the Accor Arena.
The manager even continues with the details of his proposal made to the FFT: “Next to the central court, install a short annex n°1 on the “Canyoneaustrate” fountain installed on the POPB square with a capacity of 1900 seats, a short n°2 close to the cinema library to accommodate 800 people.
“Then a court n°3 at the skatepark with a capacity of 500 people. And the two current annex courts would be kept as training courts. The city of Paris would even be an ally in this renovation of the outdoor space, ready to financially support part of the project, Pierre Rabadan, deputy for sport at Paris town hall, is committed to this.
“Let the FFT assume its choice of wanting to leave Bercy”
Nicolas Dupeux returns the ball to the leaders of the FFT for the choice of the move. The CEO of the Accor Arena even sent the proposals to the FFT which has not yet made a decision. A difficult choice then begins between the federation and the Accor Arena.
Especially since the expansion solution would not yet be up to par with the European Masters 1000. Although the progress is notable, the Paris Masters remains below the standings in terms of place. This is not an imperative for the ATP. Accor management instead emphasizes the quality of the offer for the public.
“We went further in our proposal, insists Nicolas Dupeux, by creating a new story for the Rolex Paris Masters with a major tennis celebration by taking it out of the room to a village next to the venue. A village in which there would be entertainment, a padel court, restaurant areas and tennis initiation areas. »
Nicolas Dupeux, however, calls on the FFT to take its responsibilities. “If the FFT wants to leave, let it assume its choice. »The message is clear and it should put an end to 37 years of common life between Bercy and the Masters 1000.
2023-11-08 08:03:38
#ParisBercy #Masters #big #controversy
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