Categories: ATPNaplesTop Story

Napoli nonsense: Tourney start delayed for new court arrival

This week’s one-off ATP fill-in event in Naples has fallen victim to typical southern Italian chaos, with the start of competition delayed by at least a day until Tuesday due to unplayability of the temporary outdoor courts.

Red-faced officials at the event – one of several substitutes for the usual autumn events in COVID-lockdown China – have had to import the hardcort used at last week’s indoor Florence event to be trucked south quick-smart.

Qualifying round over the weekend proved the unsuitability of the slipshod surface, hence the need for another court to be brought in and installed.

The unique situation could only happen in Naples, with the 250-level tournament due to be played in the city for the first and likely last time.

The field is headed by unspectacular Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta with Italian drawcard Matteo Berrettini seeded second on what should be outdoor hardcourt,

With the surfaces laid out on boards, those bits of kit are being driven down from Florence 500 kms to the north.

Meanwhile, workers on Monday were dismantling the unsuitable original Naples surface.

The most recent explanation for the screw-up was that the original court was not waterproofed. Once it rained, the surface was useless for tennis.

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Halep seething over Swiatek wrist-slap doping penalty

Doping sanction victim Simona Halep has gone online to protest her own treatment by anti-doping…

3 weeks ago

Nadal goes down in final match

Rafael Nadal lined up for what was to be the final match of his career…

1 month ago

Sinner flattens de Minaur in runaway home start

Jannik Sinner took charge in front of his home crowd on Sunday, crushing ATP Finals…

1 month ago

Madcap Medvedev suffers temperamental Turin Finals loss

Daniil Medvedev went into meltdown mode on Sunday during a highly charged 6-4, 6-3 loss, with opponent…

1 month ago

Team Sinner considering skipping Monte Carlo

Jannik Sinner could well be missing from the opening European clay event of next season…

1 month ago

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

2 months ago