GIJON, September 8, 2026
On Tuesday, the Spanish autonomous community of Asturias celebrated its regional holiday, Día de Asturias. At the Club de Tenis Gijón, meanwhile, international tennis was in full swing. Players from around the world were competing for valuable ATP Ranking points and prize money at the Torneo Dionisio Nespral – an ITF World Tennis Tour event that has been part of the local tennis landscape for more than six decades.
This year marks the 62nd edition of the tournament, although its journey has taken several different paths over the years.
“It’s a long history because this is the 62nd edition of the tournament,” tournament director Jaime Cueto explains. “The tournament passed through a lot of different stages because we started as a national event and then it changed to a team competition and a junior tournament. We even had some years that it was an exhibition, not an official tournament.”
The event entered a new chapter three years ago when it became part of the ITF World Tennis Tour. It started at M15 level before progressing to M25, where it now sits.
“We are young into the circuit,” says Cueto. “We are trying to consolidate our tournament on the tour. So we are learning how to do the things.”
That learning process is driven by one particular principle: putting the players first.
“One of our goals is trying to make things easy for the players,” Cueto says. “I always talk to them and try to learn from them what they need and what would be better for them when they come here. So we’re trying to learn and improve every year.”
For Cueto, this is more than just a job. He is vice president of the club and has been involved in its administration, while his focus during tournament week is entirely on making the Pro Circuit event work. Months of preparation go into arranging accommodation, sponsors and all the practical details required to stage an international professional tournament.
And like many events at this level, financial sustainability is one of the biggest challenges.
“The club cannot afford the tournament,” Cueto admits. “It’s essential for us to get some sponsors and take care of them. That’s the key for the tournament: to maintain the sponsors and try to get more, even private or public sponsors.”
The support of the city of Gijón and the regional government of Asturias is therefore crucial. Both are among the tournament’s most important sponsors, helping to connect the event with the wider community.
Their involvement also means that spectators can attend free of charge.
“This is an open tournament for the people, for the public. We don’t charge any fee for the entrance,” Cueto says.
Back in Northern Spain for the 62nd edition of the Dionisio Nespral in Gijón! 🇪🇸 🎾#TravelTheTour #Gijón #WorldTennisTour pic.twitter.com/QjkBUJgq8s
— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) September 8, 2026
The tournament is also part of a broader ambition to promote Gijón and Asturias internationally. International tennis brings visitors to the city and provides another platform to showcase the region.
Usually, the Torneo Dionisio Nespral is held in August, when Gijón is at its busiest. This year, however, the tournament had to move to September because of the solar eclipse.
“It meant that we couldn’t find accommodation for the players,” Cueto explains. “That’s why we asked for the change of the dates and we could do it.”
The plan is to return to August in the future.
“For sure, it’s much better for us that week because a lot of people are in Gijón. There will be more spectators at the event. The atmosphere is different. It’s okay this week also, but we will be back.”
This week’s Día de Asturias nevertheless provided its own special atmosphere. The regional holiday is an important part of local identity, and Cueto wants the tournament to reflect that.
At the end of the week, the traditional Asturian celebrations – including the typical bagpipes – will form part of the tournament’s closing ceremony.
“It’s traditional for us,” he says. “I think it’s important to show the people our customs and try to do it as much as better.”
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Giving players a chance
The importance of the M25 level is particularly clear to Cueto when he looks at the players competing in Gijón.
“I realized how important it is for them to get a wild card or to get into the main draw because they are professionals,” he says. “They need the ATP points and also the prize money. For them, it’s really important.”
Cueto has been playing tennis himself since he was five years old, although always as an amateur. Watching professional players compete at this level has given him an even greater appreciation for the demands of the sport.
“When I see these matches, I realize how hard this sport is. It’s really, really hard,” he says. “You can see it in this kind of tournament with the modest players, how they have to fight to try to get to the next level.”
That perspective influences the way he runs the event.
“It’s really important for me as a director to understand them and try to help them as much as possible.”
The tournament’s wild cards also reflect that philosophy. One went to local player Samuel de Felipe, who has enjoyed a solid season and has been part of the Gijón tennis scene for many years.
The other went to one of the youngest players in the field: 15-year-old Fernando Fontán, the Spanish under-16 champion and part of the Spanish team that won the European title.
“We decided to give the wild card to him because maybe we can see the start of a future figure,” Cueto says.
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A tournament with a family name
The name Dionisio Nespral also reveals just how deeply the event is connected to the history of the club.
The tournament is named after Cueto’s grandfather, Lucio, one of the founders of the Club de Tenis Gijón.
“He was a great person,” Cueto says. “He was part of the foundation of the club 65 years ago.”
At the time, there was little more than an empty piece of land.
“This place was a land. There was nothing. And they started because they were great fans of tennis. They decided, as a group of persons in that moment, to build some courts. And they started with the club 65 years ago. My grandfather was one of them.”
The tournament was later given his name during the presidency of Cueto’s father, who was one of the club’s first presidents.
It gives the event a personal dimension that goes far beyond the competition itself: every edition is also a continuation of a family and club tradition that began more than six decades ago.
From exhibtions to real competition
The Club de Tenis Gijón has welcomed some of Spain’s biggest names over the years. Carlos Moyá, Feliciano López, Tommy Robredo and local favourite Pablo Carreño Busta have all played at the club.
But those appearances came during the tournament’s exhibition era.
After years of exhibition tennis, the club decided that joining the ITF Pro Circuit would provide something different.
“After some years, we decided to get into the circuit because I think it’s much more interesting to see the competition – the real competition – more than exhibition,” Cueto says.
Carreño Busta, who grew up at nearby Real Grupo de Covadonga, remains closely connected to the city. As his home club did not have clay courts, he sometimes trains at Club de Tenis Gijón when he returns to Asturias.
Knowing the limits – and focusing on improvement
For the Torneo Dionisio Nespral, the ambition is not necessarily to become bigger and bigger. With four outdoor courts available for competition and three indoor courts primarily used for practice, there are natural limits to how far the event can expand.
“We don’t have the chance to grow more than 25K,” Cueto says. “It’s impossible because we just have four courts to compete.”
Instead, the focus is on improving the tournament experience.
“We just have to improve. The way to treat players. And try to get them to come back and talk about us. Get the best entrance possible.”
For Cueto, that is the next step in the tournament’s evolution: not simply moving up the ladder, but establishing the Torneo Dionisio Nespral as a respected and welcoming stop on the professional circuit.
And there is one more thing competing for his attention this week.
Like countless tennis fans around the world, Cueto is also following the US Open whenever he gets the chance.
“A complete day. Twenty-four hours,” he jokes.
His favourite is obvious.
“I am trying to watch the US Open as much as possible. Especially Carlos Alcaraz, of course. He is in great shape.”
Asked about a potential final, Cueto does not hesitate.
“I think the final will be between Alexander and Carlos.”
