STARNBERG, June 15, 2018

The Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) announced that the BBVA Open Ciudad de Valencia has increased the total prize money for the tournament’s third edition from $25,000 to $60,000+Hospitality. The ITF Pro Circuit women’s event will be held at the venue of the Tennis Club Valencia from September 22 to 30, 2018.

Tournament director Anabel Medina said that with the changes introduced, “the BBVA Open Ciudad de Valencia grows to become the second best tournament in Spain, with more matches and longer days, including a night-session.”

The clay-court event will also be the first tournament of the history of tennis with only female officials. The referee, all of the six chair umpires and 12 line judges as well as the entire 24 ball kids will be females.

Medina believes that “the tournament fills an important gap in the Spanish tournament calendar, since in September there is hardly any competition in Europe, and we can hope to welcome players who are in the top 100. Most of them will be probably ranked between 100 and 150.”

The main singles main draw will feature 32 players. Doubles competition will include 16 pairs.