SANTA PONSA/CALVA, November 22, 2016

Toni Nadal is the new tournament director of the WTA Mallorca Open held at the Santa Ponsa Tennis Club. Rafa’s uncle will take up the position at the second edition of the $250,000 event, which takes place on original Wimbledon grass. Caroline Garcia of France became the first champion after defeating Latvian Anastasija Sevastova in the very first singles final.

“I am very proud to be the tournament director at my home tournament in Mallorca. After the great success of the inaugural edition, the event will have a great future,” Nadal told at a press conference in Caliva on Tuesday, which was also attnded by the President of Spanish Tennis Federation Miguel Diaz Ramon. As a guest from Wimbledon, board member Richard Stoakes had come to document the intensive cooperation, as the fascinating tennis facility was built with massive support from Wimbledon.

“We are delighted to see that here, on Mallorca, these lawns have been created in these climatic conditions. It is very important for Wimbledon that the world class players can prepare for the Grand Slam tournament after the French Open. The courts in Santa Ponsa are of the highest quality,” said Richard Stoakes.

Toni Nadal wants to be a very active tournament director and immediately announced an “Island Tour”: “I have decided to contact all the tennis teams in Mallorca in order to inspire the members for a visit to our WTA tournament. We want everyone to be aware of the fact that we are presenting world-class women’s tennis. The tournament will be broadcasted in 127 countries of the world, this also means an enormous advertising value for the island and tourism,” said Toni Nadal.

The next edition is going to take place from 17 to 25 June 2017.