Tournament Preview: Madrid 15-23 October 2005 TENNIS MASTERS MADRID 2005 The second last Masters Series event of the year will once again be held in the Spanish capital of Madrid, which replaced the event that had previously been held in Stuttgart. The tournament has had its fair share of controversies since obtaining the event in 2002, notably last year with the decision to use models as ballgirls at feature evening matches and the finals...which, incidentally, will be the same case again in 2005. This year's lead-up has also been somewhat marred with the introduction of controversial new doubles rules which shrink the sets to first to 5 games, instead of 6, with a tiebreak at 4-4. With 45 doubles players filing an antitrust lawsuit against this, the ATP and tournament organisers threatened to cancel the doubles event altogether if the lawsuit was not withdrawn, sparking an uproar from tennis fans around the world. Fortunately, this has since been resolved and Madrid tennis fans will be able to enjoy singles, doubles and catwalk models all at the same tournament! Last year's final saw Russia's Marat Safin lift his second trophy of the year, defeating Argentine, David Nalbandian, in straight sets 6-2 6-4 6-3. The doubles was won by number 1 seeds, Knowles and Nestor who beat number 2 favourites, the Bryan twins 6-3 6-4. This year's field sees some of the world's best return to Spain, though with a few unfortunate omissions, as is often the case at the end of the season. Safin will not be able to defend his crown, as he is still struggling with a lingering knee injury. World number 1, Roger Federer, was also set to spearhead the tournament but has had to withdraw after injuring his foot in practice. It is a shame for the tournament and for the Swiss star, who missed last year's event though injury as well. Nadalmania will, however, be in full force as Spanish teen sensation and world number 2, Rafael Nadal, attempts to win on home turf. Andy Roddick, Guillermo Coria and Gaston Gaudio are other names of note that will be looking to challenge Nadal, along with last year's finalist, Nalbandian; 2002 Australian Open champion, Thomas Johansson, and recent Japan Open finalist, Mario Ancic of Croatia. The Spanish Armada will also be well represented with at least 8 players competing in the main draw. Apart from Nadal, Spaniards will be able to cheer on the much-improved David Ferrer, as well as Tommy Robredo, Feliciano Lopez, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Moya. Wildcards have also been given to Fernando Verdasco of Madrid and 2002 French Open champion, Albert Costa. The third wildcard was given to Nicolas Massu of Chile, who won the public vote on the Spanish sports site, Marca. Qualifying will run on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 October at 12 noon and the main draw will commence on Monday 17 October. Monday-Friday day sessions begin at 11.30am with doors opening at 11am and night sessions start at 8pm with doors open from 7pm. Saturday 22 October will see semifinals action kick off at 1.30pm with doors opening an hour before, and Sunday will have the doubles final starting at 12noon and the singles at 3.30pm. The tournament is held at the Madrid Arena, Recinto Ferial de la Casa de Campo. Buses 31, 33, 36, 39 and 55 will get you there and there is also parking available, although the best mode of transport is the underground, which is much quicker. For a detailed map of the venue, visit http://www.masters-series-madrid.com/eng/tournguide.htm. Tickets may be purchased online (https://mmadrid2005.sportec.es/main.jsp?idioma=eng) and prices vary from 6 euros for qualifying to 65 euros for 1st category seating at the final. Season tickets cost between 175 and 344 euros. For more detailed information on prices and seating plans, visit http://www.masters-series-madrid.com/eng/tickets.htm. Of course, Madrid itself is a hub of excitement with endless tourism possibilities and great nightlife, for more information on how you can make your Madrid Masters Series even more thrilling, check out the Madrid Guide http://www.masters-series-madrid.com/eng/tourmadrid.htm on the official site. Tournament Fast Facts: Venue: Madrid Arena, Madrid, Spain Dates: 15-23 October 2005 Singles Qualifying: 24 draw Main Draw Singles: 48 Main Draw Doubles: 16 Surface: Greenset Prize Money: 1 870 000 euros Tournament Director: Manolo Santana Main Draw Players: Nadal, Rafael ESP Roddick, Andy USA Davydenko, Nikolay RUS Coria, Guillermo ARG Gaudio, Gaston ARG Puerta, Mariano ARG Nalbandian, David ARG Henman, Tim GBR Johansson, Thomas SWE Ferrer, David ESP Hrbaty, Dominik SVK Stepanek, Radek CZE Ljubicic, Ivan CRO Robredo, Tommy ESP Lopez, Feliciano ESP Ferrero, Juan Carlos ESP Gonzalez, Fernando CHI Ancic, Mario CRO Novak, Jiri CZE Youzhny, Michael RUS Dent, Taylor USA Rochus, Olivier BEL Rusedski, Greg GBR Haas, Tommy GER Mirnyi, Max BLR Moya, Carlos ESP Berdych, Tomas CZE Grosjean, Sebastien FRA Beck, Karol SVK Volandri, Fillipo ITA Kiefer, Nicolas GER Pavel, Andrei ROM Hanescu, Victor ROM Melzer, Jurgen AUT Monfils, Gael FRA Acasuso, Jose ARG Mathieu, Paul Henry FRA (WC) Verdasco, Fernando ESP (WC) Costa, Albert ESP (WC) Massu, Nicolas CHI Alternates: Ginepri, Robby USA Spadea, Vicent USA Blake, James USA Chela, Juan Ignacio ARG Qualifying: Blake, James USA Calleri, Agustin ARG Carlsen, Kenneth DEN Chela, Juan Ignacio ARG Clement, Arnaud FRA Martin, Alberto ESP Mathieu, Paul-Henri FRA Minar, Ivo CZE Montanes, Albert ESP Muller, Gilles LUX Rochus, Christophe BEL Serra, Florent FRA Spadea, Vincent USA Wawrinka, Stanislas SUI Zib, Tomas CZE Vik, Robin CZE Hernych, Jan CZE Hernandez, Oscar ESP Sabau, Razvan ROM Monaco, Juan ARG Seppi, Andreas ITA Lapentti, Nicolas ECU Djokovic, Novak SCG (WC) Almagro, Nicolas ESP (WC) El Aynaoui, Younes MAR (WC) Muņoz, Joaquin ESP (WC) Burrieza, Oscar ESP Alternates: Karlovic, Ivo CRO Santoro, Fabrice FRA Garcia-Lopez, Guillermo ESP Dlouhy, Lukas CZE Mello, Ricardo BRA Bracciali, Daniele ITA Bjorkman, Jonas SWE Doubles Entry List: Bob Bryan (USA) Mike Bryan (USA) Wayne Black (ZIM) Kevin Ullyett (ZIM) Mark Knowles (BAH) Daniel Nestor (CAN) Michael Llodra (FRA) Fabrice Santoro (FRA) Leander Paes (IND) Nenad Zimonjic (SCG) Mahesh Bhupathi (IND) Martin Damm (CZE) Wayne Arthurs (AUS) Paul Hanley (AUS) Jonathan Erlich (ISR) Andy Ram (ISR) Simon Aspelin (SWE) Todd Perry (AUS) Frantisek Cermak (CZE) Leos Friedl (CZE)