After recently announced record tourist numbers for 2017, yet another boost to the Marbella economy will take place at the beginning of February, when the prestigious Puente Romano Resort and Spa hosts the first round qualifiers for this year’s Davis Cup.
Founded in 1900 as a challenge between the UK and the USA, the competition has grown to now encompass sixteen nations who kick off the competition with eight first round ties. Spectators at Marbella’s Puente Romano will see Great Britain competing against Spain in a thrilling contest that will have many of the British expats based in Marbella faced with split loyalties.
The competition sees the current Puente Romano Club de Tenis expanded to hold an expected spectator capacity of 8,500, with stands to accommodate them currently under construction. The centre court will therefore be converted into a 10,000m2 stadium with presidential boxes holding one hundred and twenty people each, as well as various other VIP seats and a TV commentary box.
A large influx of traffic has been factored into preparations, so public transport is being arranged to carry drivers to and from their parked cars so as not to place too much pressure on the surrounding road system.
This will be the first time that Spain and Great Britain have met since 1986, when Great Britain beat Spain 4 – 1 on home ground in Telford, England. With Andy Murray unlikely to be in the GB team, and Spain boasting five players in the world’s top 40, it promises to be a tough match for the Brits.
To further the aim of encouraging local grass roots support for the sport, the Mayor of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz, has announced that 3,000 free tickets will be distributed among schools, tennis academies and people living locally to watch the teams in their pre-match preparations.
It promises to be a fantastic spectacle and just one more reason why Marbella is such a great place to live and visit.
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