The Estoril Tennis Club hosts the grand tennis event that attracts crowds to the coastline from March 30th to April 7th. The youngsters eagerly await to see their idols, while the older ones are even more eager. Everything is ready, the Millennium Estoril Open is coming.
The Stars
To be part of the top group, it takes a lot of hard work, and not everyone passes that test. But this lineup promises good results.
Two athletes ranked in the top ten of the world rankings are guaranteed: number eight, Hubert Hurkacz, and number nine, Casper Ruud. The national number one, Nuno Borges - who has direct entry into the tournament - will not be the only national star to step onto the court. Alongside him, João Sousa, one of Portugal's greatest sports stars, will warm up his racket. He takes advantage of this event where he achieved the biggest title of his career to bid farewell in style.
The whole set
Completing the lineup of athletes competing in the Millennium Estoril Open are big names from the international sports scene: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Lorenzo Musetti, Arthur Fils, Miomir Kecmanovic, Dominik Koepfer, Daniel Altmaier, Gael Monfils, Marton Fucsovics, Arthur Cazaux, Pedro Cachin, Botic van de Zandschulp, Cristian Garin, Pedro Martinez, Federico Coria, and Dominic Thiem.
There is no shortage of quality, and fierce battles for the top spot are expected: "We still don't know who will win on April 7th, but we already know it will be a historic edition," emphasizes João Zilhão, Director of the Millennium Estoril Open.
What's new
Get ready, tennis players and enthusiasts, because this year's edition brings many new features that will make it even more unforgettable.
For those who can't be in Estoril, there's no need to feel disappointed: through a QR Code, you can gain direct access to the big screen in the main stadium, using the SelfieCam. Additionally, you can also enjoy the presence of a Virtual Assistant, allowing for some fun interaction, even from a distance.
If you decide to attend and bring your family along, there's plenty beyond the competition to keep everyone entertained. The Fun Center, in collaboration with the Portuguese Tennis Federation, is all set to welcome the youngsters with activities aimed at promoting the sport.
There's also a gaming area, perfect for challenging that friend who claims to be unbeatable on the court. And if you need a break to satisfy your hunger, head over to the dining area, which offers even more choices this year – including a section featuring Michelin-starred chefs.
The concern for sustainability
The event's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility is even greater in this edition. The Millenium Estoril Open now has a new agreement with Sociedade Ponto Verde that promises to make the event carbon neutral by 2024. "With a lot of work from both teams, many innovations, and many trees planted to offset, we managed to achieve this," highlights João Zilhão. There is also the idea of having the tennis players plant the trees as a healthy post-tournament activity.
More than tennis
And because tennis is for everyone, the ninth edition once again features initiatives like the Academia dos Champs and Cercica. Through the Academia dos Champs, they collaborate with young people in precarious situations, giving them opportunities to participate as ball boys and line judges, sharing their love for the sport. With Cercica, which was successful last year with the sale of all its paintings, they display art for sale at the event, in a charity auction.
In this edition, starting on March 30, there's a sense that it's much more than tennis. It's entertainment, it's music, it's animation, it's food, it's family, it's a united community for nine days to celebrate this sport that promises a spectacle in Estoril.