Madrid Open to host first virtual pro tennis tournament

The Madrid Open is just over two weeks away, and while technically cancelled, the show will go on—virtually. Instead of the world's top players competing on the red clay at the Manolo Santana Stadium, they will be trading forehands and backhands from their couches.

Rafael Nadal, Kiki Bertens, John Isner, Fiona Ferro and more will be taking part in the innovative tournament which will replicate the event on Playstation 4's. The format of the event will consist of 16 singles players in both ATP and WTA draws that will be divided into four groups. The winner along with the runner-up of each group will advance to the quarterfinals, and will then play a knock-out elimination format.

"From isolation and with the strength and encouragement we are all giving each other, I’m happy to play in Madrid’s virtual tournament and, as always, I will be trying to give my all”, Nadal in a press release for the Madrid Open.

The 19-time Grand Slam champion is not sure how good he will be online, but is ready to give it his all and nothing less.

Defending champion Bertens is sad to be missing this year's event, which was cancelled due to the coronavirus. Like Nadal, she's excited to be a part of the first online tennis tournament and has her eyes on the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro trophy.

“I think the Virtual Project is a fun initiative for a great cause," Bertens said. "I will certainly miss not playing in Madrid this year as I really like the tournament but I will do my best to compete from the couch at home in the Tennis World Tour game."

Even in the deep fog of the coronavirus pandemic, sports is continuing to unite the world and the Madrid Open's creativity is just one example.

The virtual event will not only bring entertainment to many, it will also provide monetary relief. Winners from the men's and women's draws will be awarded $163,722 dollars respectively, and will decide how much will be donated to tennis players suffering economically, with over $50,000 to be donated directly to COVID-19 relief.

So far, the field includes Nadal, Bertens, Isner, Ferro, Andy Murray, Lucas Pouille, Angelique Kerber, Carla Suarez Navarro, David Goffin, Eugenie Bouchard, Kristina Mladenovic and Karen Khachanov. The Madrid Open organizers will be revealing the remaining competitors soon.