JÁVEA, March 19, 2017

The ITF Pro Circuit returned to Spain this week for the first edition of the BBVA Future Vila de Xàbia held at the Ferrer Tennis Academy, which was established in 2013 at the Jávea Tennis Club. The Academy is directed by Javier Ferrer, brother of former top 10 David, and Israel Vior.

However, another man seemed to be omnipresent at the venue during the last couple of days. Cristian Moreno is manager of the Academy and was responsible for the $15,000 ITF Pro Circuit event as tournament director.

“We were very worried at the start of the week, as we had to deal with some heavy rain but the weather improved on Tuesday and everyone in the club helped to get the courts ready for the first matches of the main draw,” Moreno told about the organization after the singles title match on Saturday.

“The level of tennis was amazing throughout the week and I really would like to thank all of the players for competing in the tournament. The semi-finalists had to play two matches on Friday, like Pedro Martínez Portero, which was very tough but the quality of the encounters was really great. 

It was the seventh ITF Pro Circuit men’s event held in Spain this season and Moreno even has plans to put the tournament to the next level.

“Of course we are only at the beginning but we think that we did well this week. So it is allowed to think further and maybe let the tournament grow to an ATP Challenger event. First of all, however, we have to go step by step and then we will see. For sure there will be another edition of the tournament next year, at least a Futures,” Moreno told with a smile.

The manager was also pleased to welcome local hero David Ferrer at the Academy for a couple of practice sessions. The 34-year-old Jávea native pulled out of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells due to injury. Ferrer is one of the city’s most famous sons and in 2013 the beach promenade at the Arenal was named after him.

“David played on hard courts with Pablo Andújar as well as some of the players, who competed in the Futures tournament. He was very pleased with the atmosphere here in the Academy, spent some time with the fans and enjoyed his last day here on Friday. He took a flight to Miami on Saturday, so he unfortunately missed the final but he wished all the best to the players.”