Jannik Sinner has opened up on playing on a clay court inside Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and its transformation from football ground to tennis court. The World No.1 player also highlighted the engineering marvel that transformed the iconic football venue for the Mutua Madrid Open’s clay court.
The temporary clay court was installed on the stadium’s pitch using the Bernabéu’s advanced retractable turf system, which slides the football field away to create space for tennis training sessions.
Sinner is amazed by Real Madrid’s Bernabeu transformation into tennis court for Madrid Open
Sinner, alongside Rafael Nadal and other stars including Iga Swiatek, took to the court in a high-profile showcase that also featured Real Madrid players Jude Bellingham and Thibaut Courtois.
The setup, available for practice until April 30, brings the atmosphere of the 80,000-capacity stadium normally home to La Liga and Champions League nights to the clay surface typically used at the tournament’s main venue, the Caja Mágica.
Sinner, who practices tennis daily, stated the uniqueness of the experience in an interview at the stadium. He said, as per a video shared by BBC:
“Even though I play tennis every day, this was very, very special.”
Sinner praised the historic setting and the impressive technology behind the transformation, which blends two of Madrid’s sporting passions in one venue. The initiative underscores the Madrid Open’s ambition to innovate beyond its traditional home while capitalizing on the city’s football heritage.
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