QUITO, August 25, 2018

According to an ‘El Comercio’ article, the Ecuador Open ATP 250 event in Quito will not continue in 2019 due to a lack of financial support. The tournament replaced the VTR Open held in Chile and has been played on outdoor clay courts at the Jacarandá Club since 2015.

“A tournament of this magnitude requires great support and a firm commitment from the country and the host city, without which it is not possible to continue in the medium and long term,” says the official statement.

Manuel Maté, representative of the organization, confirmed that the main reason was the lack of financial support. “We had many problems for this year’s editions. The political and economic situation of the country prevents us from continuing,” he told ‘El Comercio. Maté ruled out that any other city in the country could be used as an alternative venue.

Maté is currently in New York, where the US Open will start on Monday. He told that they are already working to get a new host country for February of next year. He explained that despite the decision to leave Quito, the tournament must continue in another country, since it is part of the ATP World Tour in America.

“From Canada to Chile, we are looking for the best alternative, as it is an elite tournament of high global interest. The best decision will be made and we will communicate it in due course,” the businessman said.

Victor Estrella Burgos of the Dominican Republic has won three of the four editions of the tournament, having completed a historic three-peat from 2015-2017. Roberto Carballés Baena of Spain lifted the trophy this year.