Tradition and modernity, by Jordi Juan

In such a globalized world and subjected to the financial interests of large multinationals, Barcelona continues to be lucky enough to be able to enjoy the Conde de Godó Tennis Trophy organized by a club, with the love, tradition and atmosphere that only one entity can provide. as the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona-1989. The best tennis players in the world do not want to miss out on the tournament to relive this club atmosphere that is palpable from the youngest playing ball boys to the most veteran playing dominoes with some active players. A climate that has been repeated year after year since 70 years ago, when the then editor of The vanguardCarlos Godó, being president of the club, decided to organize the tournament that his son Javier has more than consolidated.

historical turnout

This edition brings together ten of the top twenty tennis players in the world

Precisely as this anniversary comes to an end, this edition will be the one that brings together one of the best previous phases of the tournament. Neither more nor less than three of the five best tennis players in the current ATP ranking will be in Barcelona: Carlos Alcaraz, number two in the world, Casper Ruud (3) and Stéfanos Tsitsipás (5). And if this is not enough, it can be added that ten of the top twenty will participate. Although this year Rafa Nadal will be missing, who due to injuries has dropped from the top tenthe show on the track is more than guaranteed.

And there will also be an emotional moment to pay tribute to Feliciano López from Toledo, a regular on the Barcelona slopes who is retiring. The tennis player will say goodbye to the tournament leaving a record for history having participated in neither more nor less than 22 editions.

And as the cliché says, tradition is not at odds with modernity. The club has made a great effort to be a benchmark in sustainability on the ATP circuit. A year ago we already highlighted that it was the first tournament that measured the impact of the carbon footprint and established sustainability measures to offset them. This year it has added the calculation of the water footprint and for this it will reuse all the wastewater generated and the rainwater to irrigate the slopes and gardens. At a time of serious risk due to the lack of water, we must congratulate the vision that the organizers had in launching this plan months ago. Even the racket strings that are useless will be converted into sportswear.

The institutional aid is fair, as tradition also dictates, unlike other tournaments of the same level. That is why the support of sponsors and the public is important. In the first aspect, it is worth noting the support of Banc Sabadell, which has been the main sponsor of the tournament for 15 uninterrupted years, even in circumstances as complex as those experienced by the pandemic. The party is about to start. Do not miss it. Barcelona is in luck.

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Javier Godó