MADRID, May 8, 2016

Nicolás Álvarez Varona took the under-16 title of the boys’ competition on Sunday morning. The 14-year-old from Burgos, who gained his first ATP ranking points in September 2015 at an ITF Future in Oviedo, defeated Carlos Gimeno Valero 6-3, 6-1. Álvarez Varona hit three aces, saved eight of the nine break points he faced and converted five of his own to seal victory in only 53 minutes.

Meanwhile, the owner of the Mutua Madrid Open was pleased with the tournaments 15th edition. “It was a bit better than last year and a little worse than next year,” Ion Tiriac told Spanish sports newspaper Marca on Saturday.

“I am very happy with the progress the tournament has made within the last 15 years. Madrid now has two great events: El Clásico (Real Madrid vs Fc Barcelona) and the Mutua Madrid Open,” he added.

Nonetheless, there are always things to improve.

The Complex of the “Magic Box” is home to the Madrid Open since 2009

“I would like to build a court with a roof and 10,000 seats but the Caja Mágica is owned by the city and the mayoress told me that there would be no money to support this kind of construction work,” Tiriac continued. There are currently three courts with retractable roofs under the structure of the Manzanares Park Tennis Center, having a combined seating capacity of about 20,000.

“I would also like to lower the general ticket prices, although we are the most inexpensive tournament in Europe. Premium ticket prices will be increased by 14% next year.” 

The combined event is well establihed on the ATP World Tour as well as the WTA Tour and will stay in Madrid until 2021.

“I like Spain. Tennis is the second most important sport here but I do not understand why there are still some days with only 3,000 people in the stands. We need to attract the spectators for the entire week,” Tiriac said.