Brazil Open organisers admit problems

Sao Paulo, Feb 19 (IANS) Brazil Open tennis tournament organisers have conceded that improvements need to be made ahead of next year’s version of the ATP 250 event.

The tournament was widely condemned by players and fans amid controversy surrounding the quality of the Ibirapuera arena surface, the balls and overcrowded stands. Former World No.1 Rafael Nadal, who won Sunday’s final with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Argentina’s David Nalbandian, was among the most vocal critics, reports Xinhua.

The 11-time Grand Slam winner claimed the balls were not up to ATP standards and bemoaned the court’s surface after he was one of several players to fall on an uneven section of clay. The company responsible for organising the event, Koch Tavares, admitted Monday the surface had not been good enough.

“The players were not happy with the court. Next time we are going to make sure the courts are tested before the tournament begins,” Koch Tavares’ competition manager Roberto Burigo said.

Fans also complained about paying up to $150 for a ticket and being left without a seat. Burigo denied problems with seating allocation but said it was possible that fans had entered with counterfeit tickets.