For the first time in its 26 years of history, the portuguese ATP 250 will live days of glory in Estoril, Cascais. The official presentation took place at the Pousada de Cascais – Cidadela Historic Hotel & Art District. Here’s everything you need to know about the tournament.
Held at the Clube de Ténis do Jamor, in Oeiras, for 25 years (while being promoted by João Lagos and his team — LagOs Sports) the tournament came close to an end last fall, when the former director announced he had no funds to renew the contract. However, in the last minutes a trio of diferent promoters emerged to save the well known and appreciated event.
Polaris Sports, owned by Gestifute and Jorge Mendes (agent of Cristiano Ronaldo, José Mourinho, James Rodríguez and Radamel Falcao, amongst others), UCom and Benno van Veggel, a dutch entrepreneur based in Lisbon (and former professional player) joined forces and alongside with Clube de Ténis do Estoril (in Estoril, Cascais) are now organizing the Millennium Estoril Open, sponsored by the Millennium bcp — the first naming-sponsor ever of the tournament, as a result of the effort made by the Cascais City Council to host the tournament (known as Estoril Open for 23 years) in Estoril, Cascais, for the first time.
At the press conference were Rui Manuel Teixeira (President of the Management Board of Millennium BCP), Filipe Soares Franco (President of CTE), Carlos Carreiras (Mayor of Cascais), Emídio Guerreiro (Secretary of State of Sport and Youth), David Massey (Vice-President of the ATP) and João Zilhão (the Tournament Director).
This year, with a Central Court with capacity for 4.000 spectators being built at CT Estoril, the organization hopes to connect spectators with the tournament and is looking forward to the new night sessions on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Regular seats will substitute VIP seats in the front rows so TV broadcast can show a packed house throughout the whole week.
With a +430.000€ prize-money, the tournament confirmed João Sousa (now sponsored by Millennium bcp) as its first player and hopes to ‘sign’ some rising starts as well as top players — more details about the entry list and confirmed players will be known soon, they guaranteed.
Located +20km away from Lisbon, CT Estoril will have a parking lot near by and free shuffles; as for the tickets, will be available on Blue Ticket in the next few weeks.
