Sand Series breaks new ground in Barcelona
No sooner will racquets be laid to rest on the Playa de Las Canteras in Gran Canaria next week than the beach tennis elite will head north to the Spanish mainland for the inaugural Sand Series Barcelona.
With another star-studded line-up from over 20 nations, the Ciudad Condal will wrap up an enthralling Spanish fortnight on the ITF Beach Tennis World Tour on 26-28 May.
Barcelona Tournament Director Alba Gamell Castillo is looking forward to welcoming players. “We are very happy that Barcelona is hosting one of the most important beach tennis tournaments in the world. We have worked hard to make it happen with the draws full of the world’s top 10 players.”
Having hosted a tournament in Barcelona for the past 13 years, Castillo knows the significance for not only the event but the city itself.
“Barcelona seeks to consolidate itself as a world reference on the ITF circuit, both for its great attraction as a city and for standing out for being a leading women’s tournament and for being committed to being a sustainable tournament,” she added.
The Sand Series Barcelona will be of particular significance to Eva Fernandez Palos as the tournament will be taking place at her home club. “I am very happy to play in my club and at home in Barcelona,” she said. “Together with my partner Maraike [Biglmaier], we will compete at the highest level in a tournament as important as the Sand Series. I hope to give my best and that the public enjoys this great event.”
The upcoming Spanish double will also be of great importance to Mattia Spoto. His strong start to 2022 means he will have the chance to climb to the top of the world rankings for the first time should he outperform Nikita Burmakin across the two tournaments.
Spoto has already picked up a tour-leading five titles this year as well as claiming his maiden Sand Series title last year in Brasilia with Nicolas Gianotti. The pair only formed their successful partnership in Brasilia last year but will be looking to continue their march towards the top of the rankings in the coming weeks under the Spanish sun.
The Sand Series is a series of major beach tennis events launched in 2021, offering among the highest prize money and ranking points on the ITF Beach Tennis World Tour. There are confirmed events in Gran Canaria, Barcelona, Brasilia, Saarlouis and Viareggio, with further hosts to be confirmed later in the year.
Sand Series 2022
25 – 27 March Réunion Classic
20 – 22 May Gran Canaria Classic
26 – 28 May Barcelona
16 – 18 June Brasília Classic
26 – 28 August Saarlouis Classic
09 – 11 September Viareggio