The Real Casa de Correos, seat of the Government of the Community of Madrid, was the scene this Monday of the presentation of the second edition of the Davis Cup Finals, which will be held this year (from November 25 to December 5) with 18 teams and simultaneously in three cities: Madrid, Innsbruck (Austria) and Turin (Italy). In the capital of Spain will play the team of the Navy, framed in Group A together with Russia and Ecuador. It will be at the Madrid Arena, in the Casa de Campo, where two quarterfinals, the semifinals and the grand final will also be played.
The mayor of the city, José Luis Martínez Almeida, the president of the Community, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, and the Secretary of State for Sports, José Manuel Franco, accompanied the owner of the Kosmos company, which has managed the new Davis since 2019, Gerard Piqué, and the tournament director, Albert Costa. Also attending this event, led by the COPE and Movistar journalist Joseba Larrañaga, among others, the Austrian ambassador, Christian Ebner, the mayor of Turin, Chiara Appendino, and the president of the Spanish Tennis Federation, Miguel Díaz.
“In 2020 we had no choice but to postpone it, but with the work of all we have been able to organize this second edition and I think it will be a success,” said Piqué, who explained the issue of added cities: “2019 was a resounding success, but there were things to improve, such as schedules, because there were games that ended very late. That is why the venues and competition days have been extended, so that it is a better event than the one in 2019 ”. On the matter of tickets, that went on sale this Thursday, the Barcelona defender was “very optimistic”: “We are at 50% sales, although I think we will reach 100% before the start.” And finally he spoke a little about football in a relaxed tone. “Congratulations to Atlético for winning the League, but the issue of Leo (Messi) is going to be no,” he joked about a possible signing of the Argentine for the Madrid team.
“We are reinventing ourselves every year,” said Costa, who highlighted the possibility that “fans from the three host countries can see their national teams in action. You are going to live with a lot of passion ”. “Let’s hope that by the end of November the situation of the pandemic is much calmer,” he added.
“The shortest way to make a champion team is to become a Suárez,” Almeida, a well-known Atleti fan, told Piqué. That’s how ‘strong’ the mayor began his speech. “Madrid is a trustworthy city and we are willing to be each a better city. Sport is a very important part of that journey. That is why we celebrate the return of the Davis Cup with those improvements that will make it an even more successful event “, added the politician, who wishes” that Spain will take back the Salad Bowl. “ “The best years are coming for Madrid and that is why celebrating the Davis Cup together with Innsbruck and Turin is a great opportunity for us. In addition, the city is a fan of Rafa Nadal, who was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of San Isidro “, explained Almeida, who acknowledged that” it is a pride that Madrid is the protagonist of the Finals. ” The president of the Community highlighted “· the economic impact” that the competition will have in the city, with “about 579 average spending for each tourist who comes.” “We will succeed much more if the Salad Bowl stays at home again,” he concluded.